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GEORGE  MASON 

of  Virginia 


By 

ROBERT  C.  MASON 
1919 


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GEORGE  MASON. 

Portrait  by  Gilbert  Stuart. 


GEORGE  MASON 

OF    VIRGINIA 


Citizen 
Statesman 
Philosopher 


BY 

ROBERT  C.  MASON 


An  Address  Commemorative  of  the  Launching 

of  the  S.  S.  "Gunston  Hall"  at  Alexandria, 

Virginia,  January,  1919 


NEW    YORK 

OSCAR  AURELIUS  MORGNER 

EIGHTY  LAFAYETTE  STREET 

MCMXIX 


Copyright,  1919. 


Printed  January,  1919. 
Edition,  1000  Copies. 


DEDICATED 

TO    THE 
LARES  ET  PENATES' 

ET 
"DII    MANES" 

OF 
ANCESTRAL 

AND 
FAMILY    DEVOTION 


394184 


CONTENTS 

CHAPTER  I— THE  CITIZEN Page  13 

CHAPTER  II— THE  STATESMAN Page  15 

CHAPTER  III— THE  PHILOSOPHER. ..  .Page  24 
CORRESPONDENCE Page  47 


ILLUSTRATIONS 

GEORGE  MASON Frontispiece 

GUNSTON  HALL  ABOUT  1825 Page   v 

THE  S.  S.  "GUNSTON  HALL" Page    i 

GUNSTON  HALL  IN  1919 Page  10 

"PRO  PATRIA  SEMPER" Page  12 

ROBERT  C.  MASON Page  15 

FACSIMILE  "VIRGINIA  BILL  OF  RIGHTS  " Page  20 

FACSIMILE  OF  LETTER  FROM  WOODROW  WILSON. .Page  5 1 

HONORABLE  COLIN  H.  LIVINGSTONE Page  52 

BENJAMIN  W.  MORSE Page  54 


IV 


"GUNSTON  HALL" 

The  broad  Potomac  winds  its  way 
By  murmuring  tarn  and  moss-grown  wall, 

Through  mountain,  hill  and  meadow  land, 
And  flows,  at  length,  by  Gunston  Hall, 

Where  Hero,  patriot,  statesman,  sage, 
For  truth  and  freedom  risked  his  all; 

Home,  honor,  freedom,  life  itself, 
Were  nobly  staked  at  Gunston  Hall. 

The  Shield  that  braved  a  Monarch's  wrath, 

The  bugle  of  the  clarion  call, 
The  sword  that  smote  a  tyrant's  crown, 

Were  swiftly  forged  at  Gunston  Hall. 

And  when  the  mighty  war  was  o'er, 
And  freedom  gained  for  one  and  all, 

Back  to  their  father's  home  returned 
The  valiant  sons  of  Gunston  Hall. 

The  modest  maiden,  virtuous,  fair, 
The  stalwart  youth  so  strong  and  tall, 

Plighted  their  vows  and  pledged  their  truth 
Amid  the  bowers  of  Gunston  Hall. 

The  matron  spun  the  golden  fleece, 
The  loom  responded  to  the  call, 

The  distaff  and  the  spindle  whirred 
Their  ceaseless  rounds  in  Gunston  Hall. 

The  generations  came  and  went — 
Wives,  mothers,  daughters,  sisters  all, 

Husbands  and  fathers,  brothers,  sons, 
Lived,  loved  and  wed  at  Gunston  Hall. 

The  years  creep  on  with  noiseless  tread, 

As  silently  the  ages  fall; 
The  centuries  have  left  their  stains 

Upon  the  stones  of  Gunston  Hall. 

When  worldly  pleasures  fail  to  please, 
When  wealth  and  earthly  honors  pall, 

When  duty  points  to  nobler  aims, 
Go,  stranger,  visit  Gunston  Hall. 


§1 

Ci    £ 


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rt     OJ 

U  W 


GEORGE   MASON 


CHAPTER  FIRST 

THE  CITIZEN 

In  presenting  to  my  fellow  citizens  this  brief  Eulogy 
as  a  Memorial  and  tribute  to  the  memory  of  an  illus 
trious  American  citizen,  patriot  and  statesman,  I  am 
conscious  of  performing  an  exalted  public  duty,  as  well 
as  discharging  a  pleasing  domestic  obligation. 

As  the  wife  of  our  honored  President  named  the  first 
ship  to  be  built  at  Alexandria,  Virginia,  in  memory  of 
the  old  homestead  of  George  Mason,  and  the  President 
honored  the  occasion  by  driving  the  first  rivet,  we 
thought  it  advisable  to  embrace  the  opportunity  to 
present  to  the  present  generation  of  our  people  the  prin 
cipal  events  in  the  life  of  this  eminent  American  citizen. 

Mason  created,  Jefferson  proclaimed,  Marshall  in 
terpreted  and  Washington  administered  the  Declara 
tion  of  Independence  and  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States. 

The  triune  principles  of  our  Federal  Government, 
legislative,  judicial  and  executive,  mutually  inter 
dependent  and  co-operative,  were  the  creation  of  the 
genius  of  George  Mason,  and  entitle  his  memory  to 
immortality. 

On  these  political  principles  now  depends  the  freedom 
of  the  world.  Our  nation  is  in  arms  to  defend,  uphold 
and  enforce  them,  therefore  it  is  advisable  that  the 
great  man  from  whose  mind  issued  these  principles 
should  be  better  known  to  the  Americans  of  this  day 
and  generation. 

(His  modesty  refused  to  accept  the  honor  and  glory 
of  having  given  birth  to  these  principles,  but  the  illus 
trious  example  he  set  as  a  citizen,  statesman,  patriot 
and  philosopher  should  not  be  permitted  to  perishj 

I  desire  to  express  gratitude  and  appreciation  to  the 
"First  Lady  of  the  Land,"  Mrs.  Woodrow  Wilson,  wife 
of  our  illustrious  President,  for  the  honor  she  has  ac 
corded  the  memory  of  George  Mason,  and  the  pleasure 

[1] 


GEORGE   MASON 


she  has  thereby  conferred  upon  his  descendants  by 
naming  this  ship  in  memory  of  his  old  home,  "  Gunston 
Hall." 

I  desire  to  thank  His  Excellency,  the  Honorable 
Wpodrow  Wilson,  President  of  the  United  States,  for 
driving  the  first  rivet  in  this  good  ship.  The  occasion 
was  memorable.  It  was  the  first  time  in  the  history  of 
our  country  that  the  President  of  the  United  States, 
in  his  official  capacity,  honored  the  memory  of  a  private 
citizen,  who  occupied  no  official  position  in  the  public 
life  of  our  Nation,  and  whose  moral  worth  and  intel 
lectual  attainments  alone  recommended  him  to  his  day 
and  generation. 

I  desire  to  thank  the  President,  the  officers  and  di 
rectors,  the  captains  of  industry,  and  the  working  men 
who  have  been  instrumental  in  building  this  splendid 
ship  as  an  addition  to  our  Merchant  Marine,  and  their 
first  contribution  toward  our  commercial  supremacy  on 
the  high  seas. 

I  congratulate  the  city  of  Alexandria  on  securing  the 
services  of  these  men;  their  ability  and  integrity  consti 
tute  a  guaranty  of  a  renewal  of  the  prosperity  to  which 
the  famous  old  city  of  Alexandria,  by  reason  of  its  his 
torical  and  commercial  importance  in  the  early  history 
of  our  country,  is  so  justly  entitled. 

I  wish  to  thank  the  Hon.  C.  C.  Carlin,  Representative 
in  Congress  for  the  Alexandria  District  of  Virginia,  for 
the  inspiring  motive  which  led  him  to  request  the 
naming  of  this  ship  in  honor  of  "Gunston  Hall." 

I  desire  to  felicitate  the  gracious  lady  and  honored 
gentleman  who  now  preside  over  the  destinies  of  Guns- 
ton  Hall.  The  sacred  dust  and  hallowed  memory  of  its 
original  owner  render  this  old  mansion  house  the  shrine 
of  pilgrimage  to  the  devout  friends  of  freedom. 

If  the  life  of  this  good  ship  now  about  to  be  launched 
upon  the  great  waters  and  enter  into  the  Merchant  Ma 
rine  service  of  this  nation  is  to  bear  any  relation  to  the 
lifetime  of  the  famous  old  home  of  George  Mason,  she 
need  have  no  fear  of  submarines.  If  she  performs  the 
use  and  service  upon  the  ocean  which  "  Gunston  Hall " 

[2] 


The  Citizen 


has  performed  upon  the  land,  great  will  be  her  fame  and 
glory.  Six  generations  have  lived,  loved  and  wed  in 
"Gunston  Hall,"  and  from  its  stately  portals  issued  the 
spirit  of  freedom  that  overthrew  autocracy  in  the  new 
world  and  established  democracy  on  the  sure  founda 
tions  of  truth  and  justice,  law  and  order,  prosperity  and 
peace. 

*    George  Mason,  Virginia  Planter,   Statesman,  and 
|  Political  Philosopher,  was  the  first  great  citizen  of 
America,  and    the    most    notable    Democrat  in  the 
\world. 

*  Author  of  the  "Virginia  Bill  of  Rights,"  virtually  the 
"Constitution  of  Virginia,"  promulgated  on  the  2Qth 
day  of  June,  1776,  five  days  before  Jefferson  issued  his 
Declaration  of  Independence,  and  embodying  the  first 
written  Organic  Law  that  established  the  three-fold  di 
vision  of  Governmental  Powers,  Legislative,  Judiciary 
and  Executive.  '(Consequently  to  George  Mason  his 
tory  will  finally  award  the  immortal  honor  of  having 
created  the  first  and  greatest  "charter  of  human 
liberty"  ever  issued  from  the  mind  of  maiy 

George  Mason  was  the  first  to  declare  and  affirm,  by 
precept  and  example,  the  Democratic  principle  that  the 
Citizen  is  ex-officio  the  embodiment  of  constituted  au 
thority,  the  source  and  center  of  law  and  order,  the 
fountain  and  wellspring  from  whence  issues  the  living 
waters  of  justice  and  equity,  freedom  and  equality;  con 
sequently  the  Alpha  and  Omega  of  honor  and  dignity, 
dispensing  those  gifts  to  his  public  officials,  ministers 
and  functionaries  of  the  state,  according  to  his  good  will 
and  pleasure,  in  proportion  to  their  worthiness  and 
service  to  him,  the  citizen. 

(Jle  declared  that  in  a  Republic  the  citizen  is  himself 
the  State.  This  is  Democracy^  Its  opposite  is  Autoc 
racy.  George  Mason  not  only  believed  and  proclaimed 
this  principle  of  government,  but  he  exemplified  it  by 
the  living  experience  of  his  life  and  conduct.  He  set  the 
glorious  example  of  refusing  the  highest  political  honors 
in  the  gift  of  the  people  which  not  only  could  have  been 
his  for  the  asking,  but  which  his  contemporaries  ear- 

[3] 


GEORGE   MASON 


nestly  besought  and  would  fain  have  compelled  him  to 
accept. 

He  preferred  to  remain  that  "Lord  of  Creation,"  the 
American  Citizen,  whose  dignity  and  honor  are  above 
all  Principalities  and  Powers.  The  "American  Citi 
zen"  is  the  Republic  itself,  and  the  tribunal  of  his 
authority  is  set  above  the  Throne  of  Kings. 

The  genuine  spirit  of  Democracy  lodges  in  and  makes 
its  lawful  and  permanent  abiding  place  in  the  political 
body  of  the  people  of  whom  the  individual  is  the  type 
and  representative.  Guided  by  this  principle,  our  an 
cestors  in  their  profound,  political  wisdom  placed  all  con 
stituted  power  and  legitimate  authority  in  the  people 
from  whence  it  issues,  and  unto  whom  it  must  return. 

Therefore,  the  founders  of  this  Republic  reserved  the 
highest  office  in  the  gift  of  the  people  for  the  most 
worthy  and  honored  citizen  of  their  Democracy.  Con 
sequently,  when  we,  their  descendants,  exercising  the 
prerogative  and  duties  of  American  citizens,  wish  to 
supremely  honor  and  exalt  one  of  our  number,  we  elect 
him  President  of  the  United  States. 

Thereupon  we  entrust  him,  within  the  functions  as 
signed,  supreme  power  and  authority,  and  erect  the  Presi 
dential  seat,  not  over  our  heads  nor  on  our  shoulders, 
but  in  our  hearts. 

Such  was  the  Democracy  of  George  Mason.  George 
Washington,  his  life-long  companion,  friend  and  neigh 
bor,  once  said  to  him:  "  Mr.  Mason,  what  service  in  the 
power  of  the  people  can  I  bestow  upon  you?"  Mr. 
Mason  answered,  "Your  service  as  President  of  the 
United  States,  Mr.  Washington." 

This  was  the  finest  answer  ever  made  by  Democracy 
to  Authority.  It  paid  the  highest  compliment  to  the 
ability  and  integrity  of  Washington,  while  proclaiming 
the  citizen  politically  his  official  superior. 

George  Mason  set  the  highest  example  of  a  free-born 
and  liberty-loving  American  citizen  by  meeting  all  men 
on  the  level  of  their  intrinsic  mental  and  moral  worth 
without  regard  to  their  wealth,  social  standing,  or 
political  station. 

[4] 


The  Citizen 


"The  brief  authority  of  a  little  day"  confers  no 
lasting  greatness.  Service  to  humanity  alone  entitles 
the  victor  to  the  crown  of  immortality.  Those  who 
come  after  us  will  determine  the  measure  of  our  useful 
ness  and  the  degree  of  honor  to  which  our  memory  is 
justly  entitled. 

There  is  an  equality  of  freedom,  and  there  is  a  free 
dom  of  equality.  The  former  is  granted  by  natural 
right  to  mankind  and  is  conferred  on  all  by  the  prin 
ciples  of  our  Democracy.  The  latter  can  only  be  at 
tained  by  ability,  integrity,  mental  and  moral  worth. 
It  cannot  be  granted  or  imposed  by  statutory  law. 
Such  were  the  moral  sentiments  and  political  principles 
of  George  Mason. 

He  regarded  the  spirit  of  ambition  as  opposed  to  the 
welfare  of  human  society.  Subordinated  to  use,  it 
serves  a  good  purpose,  but  in  itself  it  is  infernal.  It 
aspires  to  dominion  over  the  bodies  and  souls  of  men; 
would  seize  their  possessions,  and  make  them  slaves. 

Ambition  hates  superiors,  despises  inferiors  and  seeks 
to  destroy  equals.  It  dreads  equality.  It  was  the 
spirit  of  dominion,  the  ambition  to  rule  or  ruin,  and  the 
lust  for  power  that  extinguished  the  moral  precepts  of 
the  Decalogue  in  the  heart  and  mind  of  a  nation,  estab 
lished  brute  force  in  might  supreme,  and  led  to  this 
direful  war. 

George  Mason  denied  this  evil  principle  and  reso 
lutely  opposed  the  seeking  of  glory,  or  power  from  this 
source.  Honor  and  fame  originating  in  good  use  and 
service  to  others  he  approved.  In  his  last  will  and 
testament  he  enjoins  upon  his  descendants  earnestly  to 
abstain  from  seeking  public  office,  or  indulging  in  po 
litical  ambition,  when  such  abstinence  is  compatible 
with  their  duties  and  responsibilities  as  citizens  of  the 
state.  But  should  the  voice  of  duty  call  and  "  the  office 
seek  the  man,"  he  adjures  them  never  to  decline  any 
duty  or  personal  sacrifice  when  called  upon  by  the 
public  service.  His  coat  of  arms  bears  the  inscription, 
"Pro  Patrio  Semper"  (everything  for  country). 

[51 


GEORGE   MASON 


The  inspiration  of  his  life  has  been  a  great  incentive 
to  his  descendants  to  abstain  from  ambition,  and  live 
useful  and  honored  lives.  Those  of  them  who  have 
hearkened  to  his  words  and  followed  his  advice  have 
lived,  beloved  and  honored  of  their  fellow-citizens. 
Numbers  of  them  are  now  on  the  battlefields  in  France, 
and  some  of  them  have  given  their  lives  for  freedom. 

The  life  of  George  Mason  was  calm  and  dignified. 
He  was  older  than  the  majority  of  his  contemporaries, 
the  fathers  and  founders  of  the  American  Republic,  who 
came  to  him  for  advice,  instruction  and  assistance. 

His  career  was  not  spectacular,  nor  was  his  record 
emblazoned  where  multitudes  could  see  and  admire. 
Others  reaped  where  he  had  sown,  but  his  place  in  his 
tory  is  fixed  and  secure.  Students  and  statesmen  still 
follow  where  he  once  led,  and  America  today  proclaims 
his  principles  of  political  equality  and  the  spirit  of 
liberty  that  inspired  him  now  animates  the  armies  of 
.freedom  and  leads  them  on  to  Victory  over  the  foes  of 
locracy. 

It  is  easy  to  be  a  descendant;  difficult  to  be  an  an 
cestor.  Napoleon,  when  conversing  with  the  Emperor 
of  Austria,  was  rebuked  by  the  latter  for  his  presump 
tion  in  magnifying  himself  and  recounting  his  great 
deeds  in  the  presence  of  a  Monarch  who  counted  him 
self  descended  from  Julius  Caesar. 

"General,"  said  the  Emperor,  "you  have  performed 
distinguished  deeds,  certainly,  but  on  what  ground  do 
you  base  your  claims  to  sit  upon  a  throne?  Now,  I  am 
a  descendant  of  sixty  kings  and  can  trace  my  ancestry 
directly  to  Julius  Caesar." 

Napoleon  answered,  "Your  Majesty  is  indeed  a  De 
scendant,  but  I  am  an  ancestor,  and  sixty  generations 
from  now  my  descendants  will  be  as  proud  of  me  as  you 
are  of  Julius  Caesar."  Eloquent  silence  responded. 

Even  Her  Majesty,  Queen  Victoria,  had  to  be  re 
minded  of  precisely  the  same  principle,  that  virtue 
resides  in  the  people,  by  no  less  an  exponent  of  popular 
rights  than  her  Premier,  Mr.  Gladstone  himself. 

[6] 


The  Citizen 


The  Queen,  usually  so  very  gracious,  taking  umbrage 
at  the  plain  speech  of  Mr.  Gladstone,  determined  to 
forcibly  remind  him  in  whose  presence  he  then  stood 
and  the  consequent  need  of  greater  reverence  and 
respect  from  a  subject  to  a  sovereign. 

Her  Majesty  said  to  Mr.  Gladstone,  "Mr.  Premier, 
have  you  forgotten  that  you  are  in  the  presence  of  the 
Queen  of  England?"  The  Premier  respectfully  an 
swered,  "I  have  not  forgotten  that  fact,  but  Your  Ma 
jesty  seems  to  have  overlooked  the  fact  that  you  are  in 
the  presence  of  the  People  of  England,  upon  this  oc 
casion."  The  Queen  retired. 

George  Mason  was  a  man  of  consular  dignity,  who 
could  have  looked  Augustus  Caesar  squarely  in  the  face 
without  flinching  and  said  to  him,  "You  may  be  the 
Roman  Emperor,  but  I  am  Rome  herself,"  that  is,  the 
Roman  people. 

Great  men  belong,  not  merely  to  their  descendants 
or  their  day  and  generation,  but  to  all  times  and  ages 
Their  posterity  embraces  all  mankind. 

The  precious  metal  of  their  thought;  the  refined  silver 
of  intelligence,  and  the  pure  gold  of  wisdom  minted  in 
the  intellectual  understanding  becomes  the  coinage  of 
the  Realm  of  Mind.  The  mental  wealth  of  every 
cultivated  soul. 

The  Philosophers  of  Greece,  the  law  givers  of  Rome, 
the  thinkers  of  medieval  times,  and  the  leaders  of  mod 
ern  thought  have  left  an  everlasting  impress  upon  the 
human  mind. 

George  Mason  was  a  thinker,  statesman  and  phil 
osopher.  Science  and  religion  were  to  him  united  and 
inseparable.  Both  were  the  means  of  doing  good.  The 
first  told  him  what  to  do,  the  second  how  to  do  it.  One 
was  purpose,  the  other  process,  between  which  there  is 
no  conflict. 

His  life  was  devoted  to  the  service  of  mankind.  He 
was  not  ambitious  for  place  or  power.  He  sought  no 
position,  honor  or  dignity  which  the  world  could  give  or 
take  away.  He  esteemed  only  the  genuine  respect,  con 
fidence,  and  good  will  of  his  fellowmen,  and  these  can  be 

[7] 


GEORGE   MASON 


attained  not  by  riches  nor  by  honors,  but  through  an 
upright  and  honorable  life.  In  gaining  this  he  attained 
to  all  the  glory  and  distinction  really  worth  having. 

George  Mason  was  born  in  Prince  William  County, 
Virginia,  in  1725  and  was  the  fourth  generation  of  his 
name  and  family  in  Virginia.  His  Great-Grandfather 
was  Col.  George  Mason  of  Brewood,  Staffordshire,  Eng 
land,  Captain  and  chevalier  in  the  Army  of  King 
Charles  I.  of  England.  When  the  kingdom  was  over 
thrown  by  Cromwell  and  his  militant  puritans,  and  the 
commonwealth  established,  Mason  migrated  to  Amer 
ica,  settled  in  Virginia,  and  rose  to  the  dignity  of  a 
landed  proprietor,  member  of  the  House  of  Burgess, 
and  Lord  High  Constable  of  Stafford  County  under  the 
Crown. 

His  son,  George,  second  of  the  name  in  Virginia,  fol 
lowed  in  his  father's  footsteps,  accumulated  property, 
held  sundry  offices  of  official  dignity  in  church  and 
state,  lived  a  respected  and  died  an  honored  Virginia 
planter. 

His  son,  the  third  George  Mason,  father  of  our  great 
statesman,  and  moralist,  followed  the  vocation  of  his 
father  and  grandfather,  that  of  a  Virginia  Planter.  So 
notable  did  he  become  for  his  honorable  dealings  and 
his  ability  and  integrity  in  his  transactions  and  inter 
course  with  the  Scotch  traders  who  carried  on  commer 
cial  relations  between  Scotland  and  Virginia,  that  the 
Common  Council  of  the  City  of  Glasgow,  by  unanimous 
consent,  conferred  upon  him  the  freedom  of  that  city, 
and  made  him  a  burgess  or  citizen  of  Glasgow.  They 
also  named  a  street  in  Glasgow  "Virginia  Street"  in 
honor  of  the  Virginia  traders  and  planters  who  trans 
acted  business  in  Glasgow.  Such  was  the  honor  and 
esteem  in  which  Virginians  were  held  in  Scotland  at  that 
period. 

The  mother  of  George  Mason,  the  man  whom  we  now 
honor,  was  Ann  Thompson,  the  daughter  of  Sir  Stephen 
Thompson,  erstwhile  of  Yorkshire,  England,  who  had 
removed  to  Maryland.  She  was  a  noble  English  lady 
with  tender  mother  love  and  unaffected  piety.  From 

[8] 


The  Citizen 


her  sacred  lips  her  young  son  learned  the  Lord's  Prayer, 
the  Sermon  on  the  Mount,  and  the  moral  precepts  of  the 
Decalogue;  sufficient  religion  for  time  and  eternity. 
She  reared  him  a  sturdy,  manly,  self-sufficient  English- 
American  boy  and  he  adored  his  devoted  mother. 
No  truly  great  man  but  owes  the  inspiration  of  his 
greatness,  under  God,  to  a  good  mother. 

In  1750  George  Mason  married  Ann  Eilbeck,  daugh 
ter  of  William  Eilbeck  of  Maryland,  a  wealthy  planter. 
She  is  supposed  to  have  been  the  famous  "Lowland 
beauty"  who  captivated  the  affections  of  George 
Washington  himself,  then  a  young  man,  neighbor  and 
friend  of  George  Mason. 

About  the  same  time  George  Mason  began  the  build 
ing  of  "Gunston  Hall,"  naming  it  in  honor  of  his  ances 
tral  home  in  Staffordshire,  England.  Three  years  was 
he  in  building  this  stately  old  English  manor  house  of 
material  brought  from  England  and  Scotland  by  the 
sale  of  the  products  of  his  plantation,  and  when  it  was 
completed,  he  brought  his  young  and  lovely  bride  to 
grace  the  honors  of  "Gunston  Hall." 

The  home  was  thrown  open  to  his  friends  and  neigh 
bors  in  celebration  of  the  event,  and  true  old  English 
hospitality  was  accorded  the  honored  guests  who  had 
the  privilege  of  invitation,  and  we  may  be  sure  that  the 
old  "Virginia  Reel"  and  stately  "Minuet"  were  danced 
by  the  young  gentry  of  Virginia  and  Maryland  in  the 
new  mansion  of  "Gunston  Hall"  and  it  is  permissible 
to  believe  that  Lord  Fairfax  of  Belvoir,  George  Wash 
ington  of  Mount  Vernon,  and  many  of  the  young  men 
of  Virginia  and  Maryland  destined  to  immortal  fame, 
were  present  to  honor  the  occasion. 

"  When  men  were  brave,  and  women  fair." 

In  "Gunston  Hall"  George  Mason  reared  his  family 
in  Christian  principles,  and  dispensed  a  truly  regal  hos 
pitality  to  all  who  had  the  honor  to  enter  his  home  for 
upwards  of  forty  years.  He  lived  with  his  wife  in  true 
conjugal  felicity  for  twenty-two  years,  and  when  she 
died  he  records  in  the  family  Bible  that  during  all  the 
period  of  their  wedded  life,  not  one  unkind  word  had 


GEORGE   MASON 


passed  her  lips,  and  that  he  had  experienced  nothing 
but  love  and  wifely  devotion  from  her.  This  is  indeed 
a  true  testimonial  of  love  and  fidelity  between  husband 
and  wife  worthy  of  the  highest  commendation  and 
emulation. 
Her  epitaph,  written  by  himself,  bears  this  inscription : 

"Ann  Mason,  Daughter  of  William  Eilbeck  (of  Charles 
County  in  Maryland  Merchant)  departed  this  life  on  the 
9th  day  of  March,  1773  (in  the  39th  year  of  her  age, 
after  a  long  and  painful  illness,  which  she  bore  with 
uncommon  fortitude  and  resignation.)" 

"Once  she  was  all  that  cheers  and  sweetens  Life, 
The  tender  Mother,  Daughter,  Friend,  and  Wife; 
Once  she  was  all  that  makes  Mankind  adore; 
Now  view  this  Marble,  and  be  vain  no  more." 

George  Mason  himself  died  in  1792,  and  his  dust  re 
poses  in  the  cemetery  at  "Gunston  Hall."  No  stone 
was  placed  at  his  head  until  within  recent  years,  when 
the  Sons  of  the  American  Revolution  erected  a  simple 
monument  to  mark  the  spot  where  reposes  the  dust  of 
this  great  American  Statesman  and  Patriot. 

Critics  have  asserted  that  the  founders  and  fathers  of 
this  Republic  were  imbued  with  the  Scepticism  of  Vol 
taire  and  the  Rationality  of  Thomas  Paine.  In  evi 
dence  that  George  Mason  was  not  among  the  number 
we  submit  the  following  opening  paragraph  of  his  Last 
Will  and  Testament. 

"T,  George  Mason,  of  'Gunston  Hall/  in  the  parish 
of  Truro  and  county  of  Fairfax,  being  of  perfect  and 
sound  mind  and  memory  and  in  good  health,  but  mind 
ful  of  the  uncertainty  of  human  life  and  the  imprudence 
of  a  man's  leaving  his  affairs  to  be  settled  upon  a  death 
bed,  do  make  and  appoint  this  my  last  will  and  testa 
ment.  My  soul,  I  resign  into  the  hands  of  my  Almighty 
Creator,  whose  tender  mercies  are  over  all  his  works, 
who  hateth  nothing  that  he  hath  made  and  to  the  Jus 
tice  and  Wisdom  of  whose  dispensation  I  willingly  and 
cheerfully  submit,  humbly  hoping  from  his  unbounded 
mercy  and  benevolence  through  the  merits  of  my  blessed 
Saviour,  a  remission  of  my  sins." 

No  epitaph  has  recorded  his  virtues  or  embalmed  his 
memory.  He  needs  none.  The  constitution  of  Vir- 

[10] 


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ginia,  the  Declaration  of  American  Independence,  and 
the  principles  contained  in  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States  bear  evidence  of  his  handiwork,  and  will 
stand  as  everlasting  memorials  of  his  genius  and 
inspiration. 

This  man,  in  his  heroic  virtues,  stern  patriotism,  love 
of  country,  and  devotion  to  duty,  compares  favorably 
in  history  with  the  heroes  of  Greece  and  Rome.  Were 
Plutarch  alive  and  writing  a  new  edition  of  the  lives  of 
illustrious  men  of  modern  times,  he  would  select  the 
lives  of  George  Mason  and  George  Washington  for 
"  Comparison  and  a  parallel." 

The  first,  the  distinguished  statesman;  the  second  the 
illustrious  warrior;  one  in  the  council,  the  other  in  the 
field.  The  first,  the  great  exponent  of  Democracy;  the 
second  the  great  opponent  of  Autocracy.  Each  would 
" point  a  moral  and  adorn  a  tale."  One  in  peace,  the 
other  in  war.  Both  could  stand  forth  from  the  page  of 
history  as  heroes  of  antiquity.  Americans  worthy  of 
the  mighty  republic  their  genius  brought  to  birth. 

One  of  the  descendants  of  George  Mason  prepared  a 
cenotaph  as  a  memorial  to  him  which  might  not  be  in 
appropriate  upon  the  tablets  of  one  of  the  Conscript 
Fathers  in  the  days  of  the  Roman  Republic.  It  reads 
as  follows: 

"Lord,  from  the  rising  to  the  setting  sun, 
Take  me  not  hence  until  my  work  be  done. 
Beyond  that  time  I  would  no  longer  stay — 
He  lives  too  long  who  lives  beyond  his  day." 

(George  Mason  was  the  first  Virginian  of  note  that 
luted  his  voice  against  the  oppression  of  the  British 
Autocracy.  He  did  more.  Three  of  his  sons  entered 
the  Revolutionary  War  and  served  through  the  entire 
period  of  the  struggle.  He  himself  framed  the  first  ten 
amendments  of  the  Constitution,  wrote  the  Virginia 
Bill  of  Rights,  and  gave  or  expended  upwards  of 
Seventy  Thousand  Dollars,  a  great  sum  in  those  days, 
in  the  cause  of  American  Liberty. 

No  "peace  at  any  price"  for  this  American.  No 
"looking  back"  after  putting  his  hand  to  the  plough. 

[11] 


GEORGE   MASON 


He  did  his  full  duty  as  he  saw  it,  and  committed  the 
outcome  to  Divine  Providence. 

He  was  the  wealthiest  man  in  Virginia,  owner  of  a 
thousand  slaves,  fifteen  thousand  acres  of  land  around 
his  baronial  estate;  some  eighty  thousand  acres  of  land 
in  Kentucky;  a  vast  estate  in  Ohio;  upwards  of  Fifty 
Thousand  Dollars  in  cash  and  One  Hundred  Thousand 
Dollars  to  the  credit  of  his  account;  such  were  his  assets, 
his  liabilities  practically  nothing.  He  was  careful,  pru 
dent,  practical,  with  the  reputation  of  an  able  and  ex 
perienced  business  man  such  as  today  would. honor  a 
powerful  corporation.  A  man  of  unquestioned  ability, 
unimpeachable  integrity,  and  large  practical  experience. 
Meeting  the  first  men  of  the  nation  on  terms  of  equality. 
Second  to  none  in  financial  and  social  station. 

He  owned  or  chartered  a  number  of  ships  sailing  from 
ports  in  Virginia  and  Maryland,  and  engaged  in  the 
carrying  trade  of  the  colonies  North  and  South  with  the 
Mother  Country,  France  and  the  West  Indies,  and 
therefore  may  be  said  to  have  been  the  founder  of  our 
Merchant  Marine.  Such  ships  as  the  "Washington," 
the  "Augusta,"  and  the  "Confidence,"  bore  his  sons  to 
and  from  France  upon  various  occasions. 

Yet  he  was  among  the  first  to  seize  the  sword,  declare 
for  independence,  take  up  the  cause  of  liberty,  and 
spend  his  time  and  money  in  behalf  of  Freedom.  The 
radical  is  usually  the  man  who  has  nothing  to  lose  and 
everything  to  gain  by  public  tumult,  or  the  over-turning 
of  long  established  social  and  political  institutions. 

Here,  however,  was  a  wealthy,  highly  educated,  so 
cially  powerful  and  mentally  influential  man,  one  of  the 
most  notable  in  Virginia,  who  in  revolution  had  every 
thing  to  lose  by  failure,  and  absolutely  nothing  to  gain 
by  success,  but  the  freedom  of  his  country. 

Twice  the  English  came  up  the  Potomac  determined 
to  seize  and  burn  "Gunston  Hall,"  and  twice  were  they 
thwarted  in  their  efforts.  The  first  time  by  a  severe 
storm,  and  the  second  by  the  vigilance  of  the  Virginia 
volunteers. 

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a  son, 


The  Citizen 


George  Mason,  although  privately  tutored,  was 
classically  educated  and  cultured  in  the  old  school  of 
intellectual  attainment,  that  "ennobled  whatever  it 
touched. "  A  system  which  sought  the  cultivation  of 
character,  mental  and  moral  development  rather  than 
commercial  and  economic  achievement. 

He  excelled  in  the  solid  parts  of  learning;  the  classic 
author  vied  with  the  modern  writer  in  moulding  his 
character,  exalting  his  intellect  and  preparing  his  mind 
for  the  great  work  of  his  life,  "The  Birth  of  a  Nation." 

In  his  spacious  library  at  "Gunston  Hall,"  Homer  in 
•Greek  and  Virgil  in  Latin,  Ovid,  Plutarch,  Juvenal, 
Horace,  Marcus  Aurelius,  Plato  and  Seneca  reposed 
with  Dante,  Tasso,  Milton,  Pope,  Dryden,  Shakespeare, 
and  the  great  school  of  thinkers  and  literateurs  which 
rendered  the  reigns  of  the  Tudcr  and  Stewart  Dynasties 
illustrious. 

These  added  to  a  commanding  personality,  a  gracious 
presence,  a  thoughtful  and  discerning  mind,  genius  for 
leadership,  large  practical  experience,  a  life  of  conspicu 
ous  service  and  responsibility,  profound  knowledge  and 
understanding  of  and  varied  acquaintance  with  men 
prominent  in  political,  commercial  and  civil  life,  emi 
nently  fitted  him  for  his  great  task,  the  creation  of  the 
political  Decalogue  of  America,  The  "Magna  Carta" 
of  the  New  World. 

The  man  was  the  Solon  of  America;  had  he  lived  in 
Ancient  Rome  the  Citizens  would  have  made  him  Con 
sul  and  Senator,  crowned  him  with  laurel,  named  him 
Popicola,  given  him  the  highest  political  honors  in  the 
gift  of  the  Roman  people  and  after  death  have  exalted 
him  to  Divinity.  In  our  nobler  land  and  better  times 
he  lived  and  died  a  sincere  Christian;  seeking  nothing 
but  the  welfare  of  his  country. 

History,  mathematics,  geography,  books  of  travel, 
political  science  and  the  various  systems  of  government, 
ancient  and  modern,  were  his  special  studies. 

Tradition  bespeaks  him  the  elegant  scholar  and  his 
letters,  speeches  and  correspondence  attest  the  cultiva 
tion  of  his  mind,  endowment  of  his  intellect  and  exalta- 

[13] 


GEORGE   MASON 


tion  of  his  genius.  His  contemporaries  admired  and 
respected  him,  not  only  as  the  learned  thinker  and 
statesman,  but  as  the  practical  man  of  affairs,  a  delight 
ful  companion  and  a  sincere  and  valuable  friend. 

Endowed  with  wit,  humor  and  a  fund  of  anecdotes, 
which  could  upon  appropriate  occasion,  "point  the 
moral  and  adorn  the  tale,"  and  ofttimes,  at  a  critical 
moment,  "turn  the  tables  "  upon  his  political  opponent. 

Such  a  man  was  George  Mason.  In  every  sphere  of 
life  in  which  it  pleased  Divine  Providence  to  place  him, 
he  exhibited  integrity  and  ability  worthy  of  the  man 
and  the  great  place  he  was  destined  to  fill  in  the  history 
of  our  country.  He  loved  his  native  state  profoundly 
and  in  later  years  she  recognized  his  genius  and  placed 
his  statue  with  that  of  her  other  great  sons  in  her 
Capitol. 


[14] 


ROBERT  C.  MASON. 


CHAPTER  SECOND 

THE  STATESMAN 

When  it  became  evident  that  Democracy  was  to  tri 
umph  and  be  established  in  America  as  the  political 
principle  of  Government  designed  by  Providence  to  con 
trol  the  new  world,  it  became  apparent  to  the  trained 
intellect  of  George  Mason  that  freedom  and  slavery 
were  incompatible  foundation  stones  upon  which  to 
erect  the  cardinal  principles  of  our  government.  With 
prophetic  discernment  he  clearly  foresaw  and  prognos 
ticated  that  when  slavery  would  be  no  longer  profitable, 
moral  sentiment  would  rise  which  would  lead  to  strife 
between  the  States. 

Thereupon  he  began  to  advocate  the  curtailment  of 
slavery  by  restricting  the  slave  traffic,  and  later  the 
abolition  of  slavery  itself  by  the  payment  to  the  master 
of  the  full  value  of  the  slave.  He  denounced  the  traffic 
in  slaves  as  the  most  pernicious  institution  known  to 
mankind — degrading  white  labor,  morally  demoralizing 
the  white  race,  and  making  every  master  virtually  a 
tyrant.  He  agreed  to  free  his  own  slaves  and  therefore 
was  the  first  known  abolitionist. 

He  was  ridiculed  for  his  pains,  and  many  of  his  friends 
and  associates  of  his  own  caste  took  umbrage  at  his 
principles.  Many  men  who  are  born,  live  and  die  in  a 
republic  are  nevertheless  at  heart  either  tyrants  or 
slaves.  The  tyrant  is  at  heart  a  slave,  and  the  slave  is 
in  heart  a  tyrant. 

One  of  his  political  opponents,  criticising  his  progres 
sive  views,  said  to  him:  "Mr.  Mason,  you  are  an  old 
man,  and  the  public  notices  that  you  are  losing  your 
faculties."  George  Mason  answered,  "Sir,  the  public 
will  never  notice  when  you  lose  yours." 

Many  of  his  great  contemporaries  have  been  unani 
mous  in  granting  to  George  Mason  credit  for  his  service 
in  the  cause  of  American  freedom,  and  thereby  the 
enfranchisement  of  the  world. 

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GEORGE   MASON 


Washington,  Lee,  Jefferson,  Madison,  Patrick  Henry, 
and  other  of  his  illustrious  compatriots  have  borne  elo 
quent  testimony  of  the  ability,  integrity,  sound  moral 
judgment,  talent  for  debate,  wise  political  principles 
and  prescience  of  George  Mason. 

The  statesmen,  students,  thinkers  and  philosophers 
of  a  later  generation  have  approved  their  findings  and 
added  their  testimony  to  his  mental  worth  and  moral 
value,  among  them  Bancroft,  the  historian;  John 
Easton  Cooke;  Richard  Taylor;  and  others  have  found 
in  this  man  the  great  spirit  of  leadership  capable  of 
guiding  the  destiny  of  men  and  of  nations. 

Jefferson  says:  " I  was  in  Philadelphia  with  Congress, 
and  hearing  that  the  convention  of  Virginia  was  engaged 
in  preparing  a  plan  of  government,  I  turned  my  mind 
to  the  same  subject  and  drew  an  outline  of  a  Constitu 
tion  and  Preamble,  which  I  sent  to  Mr.  Pendleton,  Presi 
dent  of  the  committee,  on  the  mere  probability  that  it 
might  suggest  something  worth  incorporating  into  that 
before  them. 

"  Some  time  later  he  informed  me  that  he  received  it 
on  the  very  day  that  the  committee  of  the  whole  had 
reported  to  the  house  the  plan  they  had  agreed  upon, 
which  had  been  so  long  on  hand  and  had  been  so 
greatly  disputed. 

"They  were  wearied  with  the  altercation  it  had  pro 
duced,  and  could  not  from  mere  lassitude  have  been 
induced  to  open  the  instrument  again;  but  being  pleased 
with  the  Preamble  of  mine  they  adopted  it  in  the  House 
by  way  of  amendment  to  the  '  report  of  the  committee/ 
And  thus  my  Preamble  became  tacked  on  to  the  work 
of  George  Mason." 

The  " Virginia  Bill  of  Rights"  and  the  constitution 
founded  upon  it  is  the  first  defined,  written  and  ex 
pressed  constitution  of  modern  time.  Not  only  has  this 
bill  the  remarkable  merit  of  having  been  twice  adopted 
unanimously  at  two  successive  periods  of  our  Govern 
ment  (fifty  years  apart),  but  it  has  the  further  merit  of 
having  been  the  model  for  similar  declarations,  or  rights, 
and  similar  constitutions. 

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Thus  it  is  that  it  stands  the  foremost  in  the  series  of 
events  which  have  placed  the  United  States  at  the  head 
of  popular  principles  of  the  world,  and  has  made  it, 
of  all  other  instruments,  the  chief  for  the  enlargement 
and  advancement  of  civil  and  religious  liberty  upon  the 
earth.  The  noble  encomiums  upon  its  author  are  true 
of  his  work,  that  it  is  not  only  great,  but  first  in  the 
order  of  greatness. 

Henry  Lee  says:  "Among  the  very  great  statesmen 
Virginia  has  produced,  George  Mason  was  second  to 
none  in  wisdom  and  virtue,  and  by  many  of  his  eminent 
contemporaries  was  regarded  as  the  wisest  of  them  all.'y 

Justice  Harbin  says:  "  George  Mason  formulated  the 
greatest  political  polity  the  mind  of  man  ever  conceived 
or  the  hand  of  man  ever  executed.  He  laid  the  corner 
stone  of  our  Government  and  was  the  greatest  construc 
tive  statesman  this  hemisphere  has  ever  produced." 

Bland  says:  "The  Bill  of  Rights  may  be  called  not 
only  the  'Magna  Carta'  of  Virginia,  but  of  America. 
It  lays  down  the  great  principles  upon  which  the  Ameri 
cans  meant  to  rest  and  upon  which  they  intended  to 
stand  in  the  approaching  struggle.  After  a  century  of 
Republican  Freedom  and  Democratic  Government, 
there  is  nothing  to  add  or  deduct  from  this  great  pro 
test  in  favor  of  the  rights  of  man,  and  it  remains  the 
original  chart  by  which  free  governments  must  steer 
|:heir  course  in  all  coming  times." 

Says  another  eminent  writer  of  the  Bill  of  Rights:  "  It 
is  logical  and  a  concise  summary  of  the  great  principles 
inherited  from  our  British  ancestors,  distilled  and  con 
centrated  through  the  Alembic  of  George  Mason's 
profound  and  discriminating  mind." 

Our  illustrious  President,  Mr.  Woodrow  Wilson,  in 
his  life  of  George  Washington,  after  alluding  to  the 
allegiance  of  the  Fairfax's  to  England,  adds:  "George 
Mason,  the  neighbor  whom  he  most  trusted,  was  of  a 
very  different  mind  and  strengthened  and  confirmed 
him  in  other  councils." 

Richard  Taylor  says:  "Among  the  wise  and  good 
who  in  the  past  century  secured  the  independence  of 

[17] 


GEORGE   MASON 


our  country  and  founded  this  Government,  George 
Mason  of  Virginia  holds  a  place  second  to  none." 

Says  John  Easton  Cooke:  "There  was  living  in  Vir 
ginia  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Revolution  one  of  the  most 
remarkable  men,  not  only  of  his  country  and  epoch  but 
of  all  countries  and  all  times.  This  man  held  no  public 
office,  but  the  first  statesman  of  his  time  consulted  him, 
looked  to  him  for  guidance,  and  acted  upon  his  advice 
and  instructions. 

He  was  not  a  lawyer,  but  his  opinions  of  Govern 
ment  had  all  the  force  and  dignity  of  legislative  decrees. 
In  the  most  urgent  crisis  of  public  affairs,  the  great 
actors  on  the  stage  of  the  revolution  looked  behind  the 
scenes  to  the  silent  figure,  who  stripped  of  all  adventi 
tious  aid  and  divested  of  all  authority  created  by  official 
power,  nevertheless  maintained  a  vast  intellectual  do 
minion  which  he  wielded  over  the  minds  of  the  first 
thinkers  of  his  age." 

Paul  Kester  says:  "George  Mason  was  the  first  man 
in  the  history  of  the  world  to  formulate  the  principles  of 
liberty  and  justice  in  a  great  State  paper.  His  Vir 
ginia  Constitution  was  the  forerunner  and  pattern  of  all 
the  constitutions  subsequently  made.  The  first  ten 
amendments  of  the  Constitution  of  the  United  States 
are  practically  his  and  may  be  found  expressed  in  the 
Virginia  Bill  of  Rights.  The  influence  of  his  work  is 
world  wide.  His  ideals  of  Liberty,  Freedom  and  Equal 
ity  constitute  the  essence  of  all  modern  thought  on  the 
subject. 

His  ideals  have  become  a  safeguard  to  human  rights 
all  the  world  over.  The  great  principles  which  inspired, 
not  only  the  American  Revolution,  but  the  French 
Revolution  as  well,  owe  their  origin  to  him.  He  was 
probably  the  wisest  and  most  disinterested  man  to 
whom  so  great  a  task  has  ever  been  allotted  by  Divine 
Providence.  He  must  be  considered  one  of  the  greatest 
benefactors  of  our  race." 

This  man  without  assuming  power  or  authority  over 
the  bodies  or  souls  of  men,  accomplished  more  for  hu 
manity  within  the  brief  period  of  his  lifetime  than  all 

[18] 


The  Statesman 


the  Kings  and  Warriors  who  have  lived  but  to  enslave 
mankind. 

"He  led.    The  others  followed  him." 

George  Mason  was  the  Representative  of  Virginia  to 
the  Constitutional  Convention  which  met  in  Phila 
delphia,  1787,  and  created  the  Constitution  of  the 
United  States.  He  practically  formulated  the  first 
eight  amendments  to  that  Constitution,  and  many  of 
its  great  principles  are  the  manifestation  of  his  genius. 
They  may  be  found  expressed  or  implied  in  his  "Vir 
ginia  Bill  of  Rights."  His  ability,  integrity,  moral 
power,  financial  influence  and  social  standing,  wielded 
a  tremendous  authority  in  moulding  public  opinion, 
shaping  the  mind  of  the  convention  and  leading  the 
great  men  comprising  its  personnel  to  the  recognition 
of  the  moral  principles,  primary  rights,  and  funda 
mental  prerogatives  of  the  constitution. 

Nevertheless,  as  finally  presented  for  his  signature,  he 
refused  from  conscientious  motives,  to  sign  it.  As  it 
then  stood  it  did  not  abolish  slavery  or  make  prepara 
tion  for  its  gradual  extinction.  It  did  not  clearly  define 
the  sovereign  rights  of  the  states  or  positively  declare 
the  fundamental  constitutional  prerogatives  of  the  fed 
eral  government.  Jt  left  the  door  open  for  the  possi 
bility  of  a  civil  war,  and  it  made  possible  the  creeping  in 
of  arbitrary  power,  which  in  a  republic,  no  less  than  in  a 
monarchy,  is  ever  prone  to  usurp  place  and  authority. 

Republican  or  Democratic  forms  of  government  do 
not  necessarily  exclude  the  possibility  of  tyranny,  des 
potism  and  slavery.  Autocracy  has  thriven  in  democ 
racies,  howbeit  under  another  name,  and  eternal  vigi 
lance  alone  is  the  final  price  of  liberty. 

The  political  prescience  of  Virginia's  great  statesman 
and  philosopher,  clearly  foresaw  the  evils  liable  to  creep 
into  our  federal  form  of  government  as  it  then  stood. 
He  reasoned,  protested,  expostulated  and  finally,  as  a 
moral  protest,  refused  to  affix  the  mandate  of  his  native 
state  to  the  Instrument. 

[19] 


GEORGE   MASON 


He  was  condemned  by  the  ignorant,  excoriated  by 
the  thoughtless  and  criticised  by  some  of  his  eminent 
contemporaries.  History  however,  has  affirmed  his 
judgment,  and  commended  his  moral  discernment,  Vir 
ginia  long  ago  recognized  that  her  great  son  honored  her 
edict  in  the  breach  rather  than  in  the  observance. 

The  Civil  War  would  have  been  prevented,  had  the 
political  wisdom  of  George  Mason  been  acted  upon  and 
his  descendants  glory  in  the  fact  that  among  the  sig- 
tures  of  the  eminent  statesmen  affixed  to  the  consti 
tution  as  it  then  stood,  his  name  is  conspicuous  by  its 
absence. 

What  moral  courage,  disinterested  loyalty,  sincere 
conviction  of  right,  and  love  of  his  native  state  and 
country  must  have  been  his,  to  enable  him  to  withstand 
the  promptings  of  fame  and  glory  and  the  pressure  of 
his  friends  and  of  public  opinion,  to  sign  the  document 
which  made  immortal  the  names  of  those  who  approved 
and  attested  it. 

Truly  great  men  stand  upon  eternal  moral  principles, 
irrespective  of  results.  The  shifting  winds  of  public 
opinion,  the  quicksands  of  popular  prejudice  or  the 
storms  of  national  upheaval  fail  to  move  them  from 
their  anchorage  of  fundamental  truth  and  primary 
justice. 

Their  own  times  may  criticise,  condemn  and  reject 
them,  but  posterity  acknowledges  its  moral  obligation 
and  debt  of  gratitude  to  the  brave,  strong,  noble  minds 
that  stem  the  tide  and  stand  fast  for  the  rights  of 
humanity  regardless  of  the  consequences. 

Truly  great  men  never  die.  Their  lives  are  perpetu 
ated  in  their  deeds  and  in  the  largest  measure  of  their 
usefulness,  all  humanity  participates  in  the  blessings  of 
their  service.  There  are  many  men  who  live  and  die 
useful  and  honored  lives,  but  time  swallows  up  their 
memory  because  the  measure  of  their  usefulness  was 
limited  and  ceased  to  be  effective,  consequently  the 
memory  of  man  is  immortal  only  in  proportion  to  his 
useful  service  to  humanity. 

[20] 


The  Statesman 


EXCERPTS  FROM  THE  VIRGINIA  BILL  OF  RIGHTS 

It  here  becomes  our  duty  to  submit  selections  from 
the  Virginia  "Bill  of  Rights"  as  it  came  forth  from  the 
mind  of  George  Mason.  In  that  document  is  found 
embodied  the  great  principles  of  human  freedom  in 
obedience  to  moral  law  and  order  for  which  our  Govern 
ment  stands,  upon  which  we,  as  a  nation,  rest  and  for 
which  the  allied  nations  are  now  in  arms  for  Democracy 
against  Autocracy. 

It  is  the  concentrated  distillation  of  the  Magna 
Charter  of  England,  and  the  great  principles  of  human 
liberty  as  worked  out  in  the  actual  experience  of  our 
race  since  the  beginning  of  civilization, 

FIRST:  That  all  men  have  certain  essential  inherent  rights  of  which 
they  cannot,  by  any  compact,  deprive  or  divest  their  posterity, 
among  which  are  the  enjoyment  of  life  and  liberty  with  the 
means  of  acquiring,  possessing,  and  protecting  property  and 
obtaining  happiness  and  safety. 

SECOND:  That  all  power  is  vested  in  and  derived  from  the  people; 
thai  magistrates,  therefore,  are  their  trustees  and  agents,  and  at 
all  times  amenable  to  them. 

THIRD:  That  government  is  instituted  for  the  common  benefit, 
protection  and  security  of  the  people,  and  when  found  inade 
quate,  the  majority  have  the  right  to  reform,  alter  or  abolish  it; 
that  the  doctrine  of  non-resistance  against  arbitrary  power  is 
absurd,  slavish,  and  destructive  to  the  good  and  happiness  of 
mankind. 

FOURTH:  That  no  man,  or  set  of  men,  are  entitled  to  exclusive 
public  emoluments  or  privileges  from  the  community,  but  in 
consideration  of  public  service,  which  not  being  descendable, 
neither  ought  the  offices  of  magistrate,  legislator,  judge  or  other 
public  office  to  be  hereditary. 

FIFTH:  That  legislative,  executive  and  judiciary  powers  of  gpv- 
ment  should  be  separate  and  distinct,  and  that  all  public  officials 
should,  at  fixed  intervals,  be  reduced  to  private  station  and  the 
vacancies  supplied  by  regular  elections. 

SIXTH:  That  the  right  of  the  people  to  participate  in  the  legisla 
ture  is  the  best  security  of  liberty  and  the  foundation  of  free 
government. 

SEVENTH:  That  all  power  of  suspending  law,  or  the  execution  of 
law,  by  any  authority  without  the  consent  of  the  representatives 
of  the  people  in  legislature  is  injurious. 

[21] 


GEORGE   MASON 


EIGHTH:  That  in  all  capital  cases  the  accused  has  a  right  to  de 
mand  the  nature  of  his  accusation,  be  confronted  with  the  ac 
cuser,  call  evidence,  and  be  admitted  counsel  in  his  favor,  and 
is  entitled  to  a  fair  and  speedy  trial  by  his  peers,  and  shall  not 
be  compelled  to  give  evidence  against  himself. 

NINTH:  That  no  man  ought  to  be  imprisoned,  outlawed,  exiled, 
or  deprived  of  life  or  property  but  by  the  laws  of  the  land. 

TENTH:  That  excessive  bail  ought  not  to  be  required,  excessive 
fines  imposed,  or  cruel  and  unusual  punishments  inflicted. 

ELEVENTH:  That  in  controversy  respecting  property  the  ancient 
trial  by  jury  is  one  of  the  greatest  securities  to  the  rights  of  a 
free  people,  and  ought  to  remain  sacred  and  inviolable. 

TWELFTH:  That  the  people  have  a  right  to  freedom  of  speech, 
writing  and  publishing  their  sentiments,  and  that  the  freedom 
of  the  press  is  one  of  the  great  bulwarks  of  liberty. 

THIRTEENTH:  That  the  people  have  a  right  peaceably  to  assemble 
and  consult  for  their  common  good,  with  the  right  of  petition  to 
the  legislature  for  redress  of  grievance. 

FOURTEENTH:  That  every  man  ought  to  find  a  remedy  by  re- 
caurse  to  law  for  all  injuries  he  may  receive  in  person,  property 
or  character.  He  ought  to  obtain  right  and  justice  fredy  with 
out  sale,  completely  without  denial,  promptly  without  delay. 

FIFTEENTH:  That  the  people  have  the  right  to  keep  and  bear 
arms.  And  a  well  regulated  militia  composed  of  the  body  of 
the  people  trained  to  arms  is  the  proper,  natural  and  safe  de 
fense  of  a  free  state;  that  standing  armies  in  times  of  peace  are 
dangerous  to  liberty,  and  that  in  all  cases  the  military  should 
be  under  strict  subordination  to  the  civil  power. 

SIXTEENTH:  That  no  soldier  in  time  of  peace  ought  to  be  quar 
tered  in  any  house  wtihout  the  consent  of  the  owner,  nor  in 
times  of  war  except  by  the  civil  magistrates  in  manner  directed 
by  law. 

SEVENTEENTH:  That  religion  or  the  duty  which  we  owe  our 
Creator,  and  the  manner  of  discharging  it,  can  be  directed  only 
by  reason  and  conviction,  not  by  force  or  violence,  and  therefore 
all  men  have  an  equal,  natural  and  unalienable  right  to  the  free 
exercise  of  religion  according  to  the  dictates  of  conscience,  and 
that  no  religious  sect  ought  to  be  favored  or  established  by  law 
in  preference  to  others. 


[22] 


APOTHEOSIS  OF  THE  PRINCIPLES 
GEORGE  MASON 

Our  God,  our  Country,  and  our  Home, 
All  that  we  are  or  hope  to  be, 

Our  Truth,  our  Freedom  and  our  Love, 
With  heart  and  soul  we  yield  to  thee. 

For  these  our  Fathers  lived  and  loved, 
For  these  they  crossed  the  ocean  wide; 

For  these  they  vanquished  every  foe, 
For  these  they  labored,  fought  and  died; 


That  we,  their  children,  might  be  free. 

A  world  unknown  they  sought  and  found; 
They  nourished  freedom  with  their  blood; 

And  this,  our  land,  is  Holy  Ground. 

And  here,  beneath  the  stars  of  Heaven, 

High  emblem  of  our  Unity; 
We  lift  our  souls  in  prayer  to  God, 

And  vow  our  children  shall  be  free. 

As  mountains  lift  their  heads  on  high, 
As  rivers  flow  to  meet  the  seas, 

As  turns  the  earth  to  greet  the  sun, 
So  throbs  our  heart  with  love  of  these. 

This  is  that  Unity  we  love, 

The  all  in  all  that  we  adore; 
Our  home,  our  country,  and  our  God, 

Forever  and  forever  more. 


/•,„  ^iN^ 


[23 


GEORGE   MASON 


CHAPTER  THIRD 

THE  PHILOSOPHER 

THE  POLITICAL  PRINCIPLES  OF  FEDERAL  UNITY  AS  ENUNCIATED 

BY  GEORGE  MASON  APPLIED  TO  THE  UNIVERSAL 
GOVERNMENT  OF  MANKIND 

This  war  has  demonstrated  the  fact  that  no  nation 
can  adequately  defend  itself.  The  art  of  destruction 
has  become  greater  than  that  of  construction.  Offence 
has  conquered  defense,  hence  nations,  like  individuals, 
must  hereafter  look  to  one  another  jointly  for  mutual 
protection  and  to  the  degree  they  unitedly  defend  they 
shall  be  separately  protected.  "Ceasing  to  give,  we 
cease  to  have,"  applies  alike  to  individuals  and  nations. 

There  can  be  no  peace  at  the  expense  of  freedom,  no 
freedom  without  justice,  no  justice  save  through  the 
administration  of  law  and  order  and  neither  law  nor 
order  in  international  affairs  without  the  application  of 
force  through  constituted  authority,  that  all  can  depend 
upon  for  protection  and  redress  of  grievance  and  which 
all  must  perforce  obey. 

It  should  never  again  be  necessary  for  America  to 
spend  her  treasure  and  shed  her  blood  in  Europe  to 
stem  the  mad  ambition  of  autocracy.  We  should 
render  impossible  another  world-war.  The  political 
principles  of  federal  unity  in  the  Government  of  the 
United  States,  enunciated  by  Mason,  proclaimed  by 
Jefferson,  interpreted  by  Marshall  and  administered  by 
Washington  would,  if  put  into  international  practice, 
lead  to  the  fundamental  unity  of  mankind. 

Fundamental  international  federal  world  unity  re 
mains  the  only  untried  method  of  securing  permanent 
universal  peace.  All  other  systems  have  failed,  there 
fore  humanity  should  give  this  final  principle  an  im 
partial  trial.  We  can  always  return  to  the  primeval 
system  of  self-defense. 

We  entered  the  war  to  make  the  world  safe  for  De 
mocracy,  and,  by  implication,  Democracy  safe  for  the 
world.  Can  we  do  it  better  than  by  world  unity? 

[25] 


GEOEGE   MASON 


Vitally  necessary  changes  should  operate  as  the 
logical  sequence  of  this  war.  Civilized  races  should  be 
granted  freedom  under  law  and  order  to  work  out  their 
political,  economic,  and  social  aspirations.  Universal 
progress  is  possible  only  in  a  free  world.  We  cannot 
expect  to  receive  good  results  either  from  men  or  na 
tions  except  in  a  state  of  freedom.  Enslaved  men  and 
captive  nations  add  nothing  to  the  ethical  value  of 
civilization. 

Viewed  from  the  standpoint  of  use  and  service  to  one 
another  mankind  could  co-operate  as  one  man.  The 
white  race  would  be  the  head,  neck,  shoulders,  arms  and 
hands  of  power  and  authority.  The  brown,  yellow,  and 
red  races  the  body  and  the  black  races  the  legs  and  feet 
of  this  "Maximus  Homus"  or  Grand  Man.  Assuming 
the  white  race  alone  as  the  Maxima  Homo  (grand  man) 
it  must  be  admitted  that  the  Anglo-Saxon  race  consti 
tute  the  head,  neck,  shoulders,  arms  and  hands  of  intel 
ligence,  intellectuality,  rationality,  discernment,  judg 
ment,  power  and  authority  of  that  man.  The  Genius 
of  Anglo-Saxon  civilization  represents  the  mind  and  cor 
responds  to  noble  wine,  animating  the  intellect,  exhilar 
ating  the  intelligence  and  exalting  the  intellectual 
understanding. 

The  Latin  race  embrace  the  breast  with  the  heart, 
lungs,  nervous  system,  respiratory  organs  and  affections 
of  that  Man.  The  spirit  of  Latin  civilization  represents 
the  heart,  and  corresponds  to  Champagne,  inspiring 
affections,  kindling  the  emotions  and  radiating  the 
sphere  of  lofty  ideals,  sentiments  and  aspirations. 

The  Teuton  or  German  Kultur  appeals  to  the 
stomach  and  is  signified  by  Beer,  their  Genius  being 
digestive,  with  power  of  assimilation,  appropriation,  se 
lection,  disposition,  utility,  efficiency,  service,  usefulness 
and  Kultur,  which  gives  healthy  tone  to  the  digestive 
organs,  stimulating  nutrition,  and  generally  beneficial 
to  the  whole  body.  German  civilization  eminently  par 
takes  of  the  body  with  all  its  functions,  and  not  of  the 
mind  with  its  affections,  sentiments  and  idealistic 
concepts. 

[26] 


The  Philosopher 


The  Slav  race  constitute  the  intestines,  pancreas, 
spleen,  liver  and  interior  functions  of  the  lower  parts  of 
the  Torso  and  their  mental  cultivation  is  fittingly  repre 
sented  by  Vodka.  Mentally  they  still  live  in  the  intes 
tines  of  moral  refuse  or  they  Would  not  permit  the  ex 
crement  of  human  society  to  capture  the  power  and 
authority  of  one  hundred  and  fifty  millions  of  people. 

The  lowest  elements  of  human  society  in  control  over 
the  life  and  death  of  a  great  nation  and  no  united  at 
tempt  made  by  that  nation  to  assert  its  moral  and  intel 
lectual  supremacy  over  these  unruly  and  criminal 
elements,  is  a  sad  commentary  on  the  moral  status  of  a 
people;  they  surely  correspond  to  the  refuse  of  human 
society  and  their  future  is  dark  in  the  extreme. 

The  Scandinavian  race  in  their  mental  and  moral 
unfoldment  represent  the  thighs  down  to  the  knees  and 
lower  extremities  of  the  Grand  white  man.  They  also 
correspond  to  conjugal  affections  and  have  many  excel 
lent  traits  and  virtues  of  affection  and  domestic  peace 
and  happiness.  Their  condition  is  enviable  and 
admirable. 

This  arrangement  of  the  white  race  viewed  from  the 
standpoint  of  universal  utility,  mentally,  morally  and 
socially,  in  their  unity  and  co-operation  may  seem  fanci 
ful,  but  seen  from  the  law  of  correspondence  it  repre 
sents  deeply  significant  psychological,  ethnological  and 
anthropological  principles,  essential  to  the  proper  moral 
understanding,  classification  and  co-relation  of  mankind 
into  one  homogeneous  co-operative  commonwealth. 

Corresponding  to  those  mental  and  moral  states  in 
the  Maxima  Homo,  truth,  freedom,  justice,  and  the 
virtues  of  the  various  races  are  either  self-apparent  or 
conspicuous  by  their  absence.  The  Anglo-Saxon  race 
enjoy  a  large  degree  of  mental  and  moral  freedom  as 
compatible  with  the  best  interests  of  human  society  in 
the  countries  inhabited  by  this  progressive  race.  Free 
dom  among  them  is  not  merely  lip  service.  It  is  of  the 
head  and  heart  as  well  as  of  the  tongue  and  mouth. 

In  English-speaking  countries  during  normal  peace 
times  a  man  may  say  what  he  pleases  provided  he  does 

[27] 


GEORGE   MASON 


not  do  what  he  pleases.  The  first  is  liberty,  the  second 
may  be  license.  Among  certain  other  races  however, 
a  man  can  generally  do  as  he  pleases  provided  he  does 
not  say  it  in  advance.  License  is  granted  where  free 
dom  is  denied.  Say  what  you  please,  but  do  not  do  it, 
versus,  do  as  you  please,  but  do  not  say  it.  Between 
those  two  extremes  will  be  found  genuine  civilization 
and  the  exercise  of  human  right  founded  upon  law  and 
order  and  not  mere  man-made  authority. 

Thus  the  human  form  viewed  from  essential  use  is 
vital  to  all  systems  of  human  co-operation,  civil  and 
ecclesiastical,  social  and  domestic,  public  and  private; 
either  in  communities  or  in  corporate  bodies.  This 
may  be  clearly  seen  by  serious  and  elevated  mental 
reflection. 

The  home,  society,  the  community,  county,  city, 
state,  nation  and  international  relations  are  all  co-or 
dinated  from  the  standpoint  of  use  and  service  each  as 
one  man  as  to  their  functions  in  power,  authority  and 
responsibility.  All  civic  bodies  as  well  as  all  organized 
economic  corporations  so  appear  viewed  from  the 
standpoint  of  use. 

In  all  business  associations,  organizations  and  cor 
porations,  there  must  be  an  essential  head  or  president; 
a  treasurer,  representing  the  heart,  a  secretary,  cor 
responding  to  the  lungs  with  its  respiratory  system, 
while  the  various  members  of  the  body  corporate 
represent  the  other  functions  of  the  human  system;  nor 
can  any  organization  be  created,  empowered  or  success 
fully  conducted  without  possessing  the  functions  repre 
senting  a  man,  with  his  power,  authority  and  respon 
sibility  to  sue  or  be  sued,  act  rightfully  or  wrongfully 
with  all  the  consequences  implied. 

Viewed  from  this  standpoint,  the  romantic  represen 
tation  of  Uncle  Sam  and  John  Bull  as  ideal  personages 
representative  of  the  racial  traits,  sentiments,  ideals  and 
characteristics  of  England  and  America,  embody  and 
express  a  profoundly  interesting  and  suggestive  psychic 
study. 

[28] 


The  Philosopher 


Ancient  wisdom  conceived  the  universe  to  represent 
in  its  internal  mechanism,  one  "  Grand  Man/'  the  body 
of  which  constituted  the  physical  universe,  the  life 
principle  expressed  through  nature,  the  spirit  and  the 
divine  principle,  God.  The  human  race  being  in  his 
image  and  likeness  and  man  in  the  human  form  as  a 
similitude  of  his  divine  humanity. 

Creation  strives  to  assume  the  human  form.  Na 
ture,  in  all  and  singular  things  regards  humanity,  its 
use  and  service  as  the  "Ultima  Thule"  of  her  duty  and 
functions.  All  forms  exist  in  use  as  the  very  measure  of 
their  existence.  Nothing  lives  in,  for  or  by  itself  alone. 
All  things  live,  move  and  have  their  being  in  use  as  their 
efficient  end,  cause  and  effect.  Life  is  in  use,  death  in 
abuse. 

The  mineral  world  supplies  the  Agricultural  and  floral 
domain  the  means  of  sustaining  the  Animal  Kingdom  in 
its  maintenance  and  nourishment  of  the  Human  realm. 
All  look  upward  to  man  without  whom  there  would  not 
exist  the  Nexus  in  nature  uniting  and  co-ordinating  her 
myriad  forms  and  functions. 

The  fowls  of  the  air  and  beasts  of  the  field  have 
nothing  in  common,  except  through  man.  They  serve 
him,  and  through  him  their  Creator.  They  are  of  no 
use  to  one  another  and  there  exists  no  bond  of  unity, 
sympathy  or  usefulness  between  them.  However,  as 
food,  clothing  and  other  uses  they  all  serve  the  material 
needs  and  other  requirements  of  man. 

Nature  unites  her  threefold  Kingdom  in  man.  Man 
kind  unifies  in  use  to  one  another  and  nations  can  be  so 
co-related,  each  according  to  the  measure  of  their  use 
fulness  to  humanity  as  a  whole. 

The  human  form,  centralizing  all  uses  and  consti 
tuting  the  final  expression  of  use,  is  USE  itself,  hence, 
capable  of  every  good  and  every  truth  going  forth  from 
the  Divine  in  use  and  service  to  His  creatures,  and  as 
we  can  conceive  of  no  higher  form  of  use  than  the  human 
form,  it  is  morally  and  intellectually  permissible  to 
believe  that  the  divine,  itself,  is  in  the  human  form. 
In  other  words,  that  God  is  in  the  human  form,  the 

[291 


GEORGE   MASON 


One  and  only  Man,  and  the  human  race  in  the  likeness 
and  similitude  of  that  Man  from  his  Divine  Humanity. 

From  this  reason  alone  all  creation  seeks  the  human 
form,  as  the  great  Archetype  and  Prototype  of  form  or 
form  itself.  Hence,  it  is,  that  all  human  activities, 
civil  and  ecclesiastical,  social,  domestic,  political,  econ 
omic,  personal  and  private  must  all  assume  the  co-opera 
tive  unity  as  expressed  and  embodied  in  the  human  form 
itself.  With  all  its  functions,  duties,  privileges  and 
responsibilities. 

Service  to  humanity  as  a  whole  is  compatible  with 
our  love  of  home,  duty  to  our  native  state,  service  to 
our  fellow  countrymen  and  patriotism  to  our  nation. 
Mankind  in  ever-ascending  scales,  constitute  our  neigh 
bor  from  a  moral  viewpoint.  The  home,  our  relatives, 
friends,  neighbors,  the  community  in  which  we  live, 
society  in  general,  the  city,  county,  state,  nation  and 
humanity  itself  constitute  the  neighbor,  and  "The  love 
toward  the  neighbor  is  in  the  last  and  final  analysis  the 
love  toward  the  Lord." 

Even  the  languages  of  the  different  races  in  their  de 
velopment,  evolution  and  genius  indicate  their  appli 
cation  to  the  service  of  man  in  all  the  varied  states  of 
his  being.  Each  language  supplies  a  mental  or  moral 
quality  essential  to  human  unfoldment  and  lacking  or 
deficient  in  the  others,  and  all  combined  afford  mankind 
universally  the  means  of  expressing  their  aspirations, 
inspirations,  ideals  and  principles.  Each  is  necessary 
to  all  the  others  and  without  them  all,  mankind  would 
lack  essential  elements  in  the  best  method  of  communi 
cating  their  thoughts,  sentiments,  and  gratitude. 

Spanish  is  the  language  of  prayer,  devotion  and  piety. 
It  has  been  well-said  that  the  Creator,  if  desiring  to 
communicate  aught  to  mankind  in  these  days,  would 
use  the  Spanish  tongue  in  which  to  make  his  wishes 
known. 

Italian  is  par-excellence  the  speech  of  love,  music  and 
song.  A  glance  of  the  eye,  an  expression  of  the  face,  a 
wave  of  the  hand,  a  motion  of  the  body,  or  an  idiomatic 
expression,  meaningless  to  others,  conveys  indefinite 

[30] 


The  Philosopher 


manifestation  of  human  sentiments  expressible  only  in 
outward  acts  among  other  nations.  This  is  largely  true 
of  all  the  Latin  tongues. 

French  is  pre-eminently  the  language  of  refinement, 
politeness,  courtesy,  culture,  literature  and  the  elegant 
accomplishments  of  human  life  in  all  its  social  spheres. 
It  is  an  essential  to  the  perfect  lady  or  gentleman  in  the 
highest  state  of  civilization.  No  other  tongue  can  so 
point  the  moral  or  adorn  the  tale. 

Wit,  humor,  repartee,  and  all  the  higher  and  more  in 
terior  emotions  of  the  human  mind  are  more  perfectly 
expressed  in  French  than  in  any  other  language.  It 
has  been  aptly  stated  that  what  the  language  leaves  un 
said,  save  by  innuendo,  insinuation,  implication  and  indi 
rect  reference  is  far  more  extensive  than  the  language 
itself.  It  suggests  indefinite  states  of  thought,  feeling 
and  sentiment  that  cannot  possibly  be  conveyed  by  di 
rect  speech.  It  is  therefore  the  language  of  Diplomacy, 
wherein,  except  the  parties  to  the  conversation  be  ex 
perts  in  the  subtle  modes  of  expression,  everything  is 
clearly  explained  and  nothing  whatever  understood. 

The  English  language  is  the  speech  of  material  re 
quirements  and  intellectual  understanding.  It  is  di 
rect,  to  the  point,  efficient  and  sufficient  to  express  all 
physical  wants  and  earthly  necessities.  It  is  grandly 
expressive  of  human  life  on  its  mental  planes.  Strong, 
virile,  versatile,  dignified,  majestic,  lofty  and  senten 
tious.  The  language  of  conquest  over  nature  herself  in 
all  her  material  phases  of  external  life.  A  language 
for  conquerors,  masters,  executives,  administration  effi 
ciency  and  thoroughness.  Equalling  in  these  regards 
the  Latin  tongue  in  its  strongest  moods.  Without  the 
English  tongue  Shakespeare  would  have  been  impos 
sible  and  Nature  would  not  have  been  conquered, 
tamed,  subdued  and  civilized.  It  signifies  brain  and 
brawn,  energy,  ability,  integrity  and  a  glorious  con 
tempt  for  hardship,  indifference  to  the  unknown;  law 
and  order  everywhere  taking  the  place  of  mere  senti 
mental  and  romantic  irregularity.  It  is  a  well-regu- 

[31] 


GEORGE   MASON 


lated  and  cultivated  garden  instead  of  a  wilderness  of 
flowers. 

German  is  the  language  of  Science,  which,  like  the 
stomach  itself  takes  in,  absorbs  and  appropriates  all 
facts  and  substances;  examines,  clarifies,  co-ordinates 
and  disposes  each  item  to  its  appropriate  place  and  func 
tion  in  the  civilization  of  the  age.  While  by  no  means 
an  inventive  language  per  se  (of  over  two  hundred 
great  modern  inventions,  only  thirty-two  can  be  trace 
able  directly  to  Germany),  it  investigates,  explores,  ex 
periments,  and  from  a  mass  of  elementary  theories, 
and  hypotheosis,  deducts  the  cold,  hard  facts  for  actual 
use  in  the  abstract  sciences. 

German  is  the  language  of  the  experimental  world. 
In  abstruse  and  difficult  demonstrations  and  its  genius 
is  to  follow  and  not  lead  the  genius  of  mankind.  Like 
the  national  spirit  of  the  German  people  which  desires 
to  serve  and  be  led,  consequently  can  be  led  either  right 
or  wrong  by  their  superiors,  whereas  the  spirit  of  the 
English  Nation  is  to  command  and  lead  and  which 
therefore  can  only  be  led  right  by  their  superiors. 

This  is  stated  as  a  psychological  truth  of  profound 
moral  interest  in  the  proper  understanding  of  the  genius 
and  temper  of  the  German  nation  and  the  interior  cause 
of  the  war. 

The  Teuton  language  is  harsh  and  guttural  to  foreign 
ears  and  there  are  few  soft,  pleasing  and  euphonious  ex 
pressions  with,  however,  some  very  notable  exceptions. 
It  is  however  a  domestic  speech  and  a  medium  for  the 
sweet  social  and  domestic  ties  and  human  affections. 

One  expression  of  this  speech  in  particular  serves  to 
redeem  it  from  the  censure  of  its  critics.  It  is  wonder 
fully  expressive  of  domestic  love  and  affection,  "Auf 
Wiedersehn"  (Until  we  meet  again).  The  hopeless 
"Good  by"  of  the  English,  and  the  meaningless  "Au 
revoir"  of  the  French,  have  nothing  in  common  with 
the  warm  and  hopeful  aspiration  expressed  in  this  beau 
tiful  German  idiom,  redolent  of  mental  and  moral  per 
fume,  the  essence  of  all  beautiful,  pervasive  domesticity. 

[32] 


The  Philosopher 


Viewed,  however,  from  the  moral  standpoint,  there  are 
but  two  kinds  of  men  and  only  one  language.  The 
races  wholly  disappear.  The  white,  brown,  yellow,  red 
and  black  man  all  merge  into  two  distinct  species  of  the 
genius  Homo,  namely  Good  and  Evil  men,  or  useful  and 
useless  men,  if  you  prefer  the  latter  terms. 

Truth,  intelligence,  and  experience  make  a  good  man 
better  and  a  bad  man  worse.  On  the  basis  of  morality 
or  its  opposite  all  stand  or  fall.  All  are  on  an  equal 
footing  and  all  are  equal.  This  then  is  the  criterion  by 
which  all  mankind  should  be  adjudged,  and  their  for 
tunes  regulated.  On  this  great  plane  we  need  have  no- 
fear  of  any  race  or  all  mankind. 

On  this  basis  of  moral  co-operation  and  mental  obli 
gation  toward  one  another  our  superiors  will  not,  our 
inferiors  cannot,  and  our  equals  will  have  no  occasion 
to  insult  or  injure  us.  In  the  presence  of  the  Decalogue 
all  stand  upon  the  plane  of  perfect  equality  before  God 
and  man,  and  he  who  is  greatest  among  it  is  great  simply 
because  of  the  superiority  of  his  service  and  usefulness 
to  others. 

There  should  be  international  unity  in  peace  parlia 
ments  of  all  generic  nations,  thus:  The  Anglo-Saxon, 
the  Latin,  German,  Slav  and  Scandinavian  races  should 
evolve  centralized,  unified  peace  organizations  among 
themselves  to  conserve,  develop  and  bestow  upon  man 
kind  the  best  racial  attributes  and  ethical  achieve 
ments  of  the  races  who  have  a  common  origin  and  who, 
in  sentiment,  temperament  and  genius,  are  the  same. 

The  Anglo-Saxon  race  should  especially  impose  a 
supereminent  peace  parliament  among  themselves,  com 
posed  of  and  representing  the  fundamental  characteris 
tics  and  essential  units  of  this  race,  wherein  kings,  presi 
dents,  and  premiers  might  preside  as  chief  magistrates, 
presidents  or  premiers  without  nullification  of  the  func 
tions  exercised  by  them  in  their  own  governments. 

The  King  of  England,  the  President  of  the  United 
States,  or  the  Premiers  of  Canada  and  Australia  might, 
if  elected  or  deputed,  preside  over  the  deliberations  of 
such  an  Anglo-Saxon  Congress  as  its  President  or  re- 

[33] 


GEORGE   MASON 


sponsible  head,  while  still  remaining  king,  president  or 
premier. 

The  Peace  Capital  of  such  an  international  Anglo- 
Saxon  English-speaking  parliament  should  be  estab 
lished  at  Stone-Henge,  England.  History,  story  and 
tradition  render  this  spot  the  center  of  Anglo-Saxon 
sentiment.  Here  civilization  on  the  British  Isles  first 
began,  and  around  it  are  entwined  the  lore  of  a  hoary 
and  venerable  antiquity. 

Heretofore  war  has  been  a  power  beyond  the  ability 
of  any  Government  to  control.  Every  species  of  Gov 
ernment  that  ever  existed  on  the  earth  has  been  subject 
to  its  power  and  there  never  has  been  a  Government 
which  ultimately  was  not  brought  to  destruction  by  the 
spirit  of  war.  It  has  written,  "  Mene,  Mene,  Tekel  Up- 
harsin"  on  every  political  institution  ever  established 
by  the  genius  of  man,  and  except  banished  from  the 
earth,  bids  fair  to  ultimately  destroy  civilization. 

When  there  is  a  power  in  the  Government  greater 
than  the  Government,  there  is  no  government.  When 
there  is  a  power  in  civilization  greater  than  civilization, 
there  is  no  civilization.  That  power  is  war.  And  to 
abolish  it  will  require  the  universal  co-operation  of  man 
kind,  in  a  supereminent  Government. 

The  fundamental  unity  of  mankind  as  the  logical  re 
sult  of  this  world  war  is  eminent.  Civilization  requires 
it;  justice  demands  it;  morality  sanctions  it;  and  the 
representatives  of  the  great  nations  of  the  earth  now  in 
arms  to  defend  liberty  and  secure  lasting  peace  have 
expressed  approval  of  this  great  moral  concept. 

Faith  declares  and  reason  affirms,  that  the  Divinity, 
in  the  dispensation  of  His  Divine  Providence,  operating 
through  natural  events,  in  the  conduct  of  human  affairs, 
looks  to  eternity  and  infinitude  in  all  things  permitted 
or  sanctioned,  regarding  the  events  of  time  and  space 
only  in  their  relation  and  co-ordination  to  eternal  and 
infinite  results. 

Within  the  purview  of  Divine  Providence,  the  past, 
the  present  and  the  future  constitute  the  Now,  the 
Divine  operation  being  specific  with  man,  general  with 

[34] 


The  Philosopher 


men,  generic  with  nations  and  universal  with  man 
kind. 

Omniscient,  Omnipotent,  Omnipresent,  Omnibene- 
ficent,  in  all  time  without  time,  and  in  all  space  without 
space,  there  be:ng  no  time  in  its  eternity  nor  any  space 
in  its  immensity. 

Within  the  purview  of  Divine  Providence  viewed 
from  this  standpoint,  the  end  in  view  sanctifies  the 
means  employed,  hence,  Divine  Providence  permits  evil 
although  it  sanctions  only  good  to  the  intent  that  Man 
may  remain  in  the  state  of  integrity  and  thereby  be 
perpetuated  to  eternity. 

To  that  end  Divine  Providence  endows  man  with  two 
faculties,  Rationality  and  Liberty.  The  first  enables 
him  to  think  as  he  pleases,  the  second  to  do  as  he 
pleases,  howbeit  not  to  escape  the  consequences,  good 
bringing  its  essential  reward  and  evil  its  inevitable 
punishment. 

Without  permission  to  both  good  and  evil,  man  could 
not  remain  in  a  state  of  integrity,  but  would  degenerate 
into  a  mere  beast  of  the  field  without  power  of  moral  de 
termination,  consequently  without  authority  or  re 
sponsibility.  Hence,  permission  to  commit  wrong  as 
well  as  sanction  to  do  right  are  both  essential  laws  of 
Divine  Providence. 

Therefore,  War  is  permitted  by  Divine  Providence 
although  in  and  of  itself  it  is  infernal,  being  diamet 
rically  opposed  to  the  welfare  of  human  society,  carry 
ing  within  its  bosom  every  species  of  wickedness  and 
depravity  and  aiming  at  the  extermination  of  the  human 
race  itself. 

Those  who  engage  in  warfare,  civil  or  foreign,  from 
motives  of  self-glory,  conquest  or  desire  of  possession  to 
seize  the  goods  of  others,  oppress  mankind  and  rule  the 
world,  are  infernally  perverted.  They  are  enemies  of 
both  God  and  man;  they  love  themselves  alone;  hate  all 
others  in  comparison  with  themselves,  care  nothing  for 
the  welfare  of  others,  seek  only  their  own  gratification, 
would  destroy  the  human  race,  without  regard  to  the 

[351 


GEORGE   MASON 


helpless,  innocent  or  unoffending.  They  would  trample 
upon  and  exterminate  all  rights,  human  and  divine. 

Peace  at  any  price  is  slavery;  therefore,  those  who 
wage  war  to  defend  freedom,  protect  their  country,  re 
tain  its  liberty  and  save  mankind,  really  fight  against 
war  to  destroy  and  extinguish  it.  They  are,  therefore, 
saviours  of  mankind,  true  patriots,  heroes  and  martyrs. 
Their  service,  involving  and  endangering  their  lives,  is 
the  greatest  use  to  humanity,  so  that  living  they  are 
beloved  and  venerated,  and,  dying,  become  heirs  to 
immortal  fame. 

War  is  permitted  that  mankind,  while  remaining  in  a 
state  of  integrity  to  think  and  ability  to  do  as  they 
please,  without  which  there  would  be  no  liberty  or 
rationality,  may,  by  the  consequences  of  their  own  ac 
tions,  be  reformed,  regenerated  and  preserved,  without 
which  the  human  race  would  inevitably  perish. 

Two  great  cupidities  create  War — Love  of  Dominion 
and  Lust  of  Ownership.  The  former  craves  to  govern 
all  things,  the  latter  to  possess  all  things.  In  an  Au 
tocracy  these  two  insane  lusts  make  one,  centralizing 
wealth  and  commanding  power  and  authority,  and  con 
tinually  aspiring  and  conspiring  to  own  all  wealth  and  to 
possess  all  power.  Nor  can  these  two  cupidities  ever 
rest  satisfied  short  of  possessing  and  controlling  the 
earth. 

To  subdue  these  evil  principles,  Divine  Providence,  at 
sundry  times  and  in  different  places,  inspires  the  souls  of 
great  men  to  extinguish  effete  forms  of  Government, 
wherein  the  Lust  of  Dominion  and  greed  of  material 
possession  have  gained  ascendancy,  and  in  their  places 
to  raise  up  responsible  forms  of  Government  wherein 
truth  and  justice  may  prevail. 

Numbers  grant  no  dispensation  of  truth  nor  can  a 
majority  ennoble  falsehood.  One  man  may  be  right 
when  all  the  world  is  wrong.  The  world  is  led  by  indi 
viduals  to  see  the  right  and  not  by  masses.  Like  a 
great  light,  a  mighty  mind  is  in  the  center,  with  lesser 
minds  in  the  circumference. 


The  Philosopher 


Such  a  man  was  the  hero  of  this  Memorial.  His 
political  system  of  Federal  Government  with  its 
three  branches,  Legislative,  Judiciary  and  Executive, 
have  been  virtually  adopted  by  all  the  responsible 
Governments  on  earth. 

Hence  man  proposes,  but  God  disposes.  His  Divine 
Providence  governs  the  World.  Therefore,  a  power 
must  arise  in  human  society  willing  and  capable  of  uni 
versal  protection.  Gathering  into  its  bosom  as  the 
ocean  gathers  the  waters  all  constituted  power  and  au 
thority,  supported  by  the  universal  sanction  and  might 
of  mankind.  Confined  within  the  measure  of  its  use 
fulness,  controlled  by  the  forms  of  law  and  order  as  ap 
proved  by  human  experience  and  administered  through 
those  procedures  arising  from  the  spirit  of  justice  in  the 
application  of  force,  moral,  material  and  physical. 

"With  charity  toward  all  and  malice  toward  none." 
"With  no  friends  to  reward,  nor  enemies  to  punish." 
Without  "  Entangling  Alliances. "  Neither  intimidated 
by  fear  nor  stimulated  by  hope  of  reward.  Having 
within  its  purview  the  universal  peace,  protection  and 
prosperity  of  the  earth.  Depending  upon  the  whole 
world  for  its  support.  Looking  mankind  squarely  in 
the  face,  seeking  neither  place  nor  applause,  loving 
truth  and  justice  and  fearing  not  the  brief  authority  of 
a  little  day. 

Indifferent  to  false  conceptions  of  duty,  deaf  to  public 
clamor,  dumb  to  national  prejudice,  blind  to  self-in 
terest,  averse  to  vain  glory,  seeking  only  the  reward  of 
service  well  and  faithfully  performed,  established  on  the 
moral  precepts  of  the  Decalogue,  and  looking  away  from 
the  idol  of  war  to  the  God  of  Peace. 

All  power  not  especially  delegated  should  be  specific 
ally  withheld.  Nevertheless,  to  accomplish  its  de 
signed  mission  of  universal  peace  and  protection,  such 
a  Government  should  necessarily  possess  within  the 
sphere  of  its  lawful  functions  and  limitations,  the 
unquestionable  sovereignty  of  the  earth. 

Therefore,  the  nations  entered  into  this  federal  unity 
must,  within  the  limits  assigned  and  delegated,  yield  the 

[37] 


GEORGE   MASON 


principle  and  prerogative  of  sovereignty.  Preparedness 
is  compatible  with  such  renunciation.  There  can  be 
but  one  absolute  sovereign  power  upon  the  earth,  if  in 
the  last  analysis,  mankind  are  to  have  universal,  per 
manent  peace. 

Such  a  Government  must  possess  legislative,  judicial 
and  executive  functions,  hence,  must  consist  of  a  Parlia 
ment  with  a  lower  House  to  meditate  and  propose  inter 
national  law;  an  upper  house  to  approve  and  sanction; 
a  Supreme  Court  of  international  jurisdiction  to  inter 
pret,  and  an  administrative  to  carry  the  purpose  of  the 
law  into  execution. 

Europe  should  be  fundamentally  united  and  an 
Eminent  Government,  representative  of  and  respon 
sible  to  all  of  the  European  nations,  established  over  that 
continent.  The  international  capital  should  be  Con 
stantinople.  The  Dardanelles,  uniting  the  Mediter 
ranean  and  Black  Seas,  separating  Europe  and  Asia  and 
granting  access  to  both  continents  possess  a  strategic 
advantage  and  ethnological  value  which  no  individual 
nation  should  exclusively  possess  or  command. 

Three  thousand  years  ago,  the  God  of  Heaven  and 
Earth  established  fundamental  international,  universal 
world  unity  in  law  and  order,  by  enunciating  for  the 
benefit  of  all  mankind,  the  Decalogue.  This  consti 
tutes  the  essence  of  all  law,  human  and  divine,  national 
and  international,  and  all  the  nations  of  the  earth  have 
to  do  is  to  gather  around  and  establish  upon  the  Deca 
logue,  world  unity  in  the  administration  of  Truth  and 
Justice  between  nations  as  between  individuals. 

The  English-speaking  world  is  practically  prepared 
for  such  international  unity.  The  British  Isles,  Eng 
land,  Ireland,  Scotland  and  Wales,  the  Dominion  of 
Canada,  the  Commonwealth  of  Australia,  the  Empire  of 
India,  the  English  possessions  in  South  Africa,  the  West 
India  Islands,  New  Zealand  and  the  United  States  are 
practically  one  commonwealth,  with  fundamental  in 
ternational  ideals  and  aspirations.  They  are  funda 
mental  Democracies  and  are  so  administered. 

[38] 


The  Philosopher 


If  we  add  to  them  France  and  Italy,  we  thereby  em 
brace  the  Latin  race,  both  in  Europe  and  America,  as 
Latin  America  will  naturally  follow  the  trend  of  Latin 
Europe. 

We  suggest  an  "Eminent  Peace  Parliament"  estab 
lished  over  each  continent,  comprised  of  the  appointed 
and  elected  representatives  of  the  nations  inhabiting  the 
various  continents  comprising  legislative,  judiciary  and 
executive  functions  with  Congress,  Senate,  Supreme 
Court  and  Administration,  meeting  tri-annually,  and 
having  within  the  purview  of  its  constituted  preroga 
tives  matters  of  supreme  continental  importance  and 
vital  moment  to  all  of  the  nations  inhabiting  the  con 
tinent  including  transportation,  communication,  sani 
tation,  coinage,  weights  and  measures,  trade,  economics, 
finances  and  political  polity. 

Over  all  the  world  we  would  suggest  an  International 
Fundamental,  Universal,  Federal  World  Unity,  estab 
lished  in  a  parliament  consisting  of  four  chambers,  and 
comprising  within  the  purview  of  its  prerogatives  the 
legislative,  judiciary  and  executive  power  and  authority 
of  mankind. 

First,  an  elective  congress  of  five  members  from  each 
civilized,  three  from  semi-civilized,  and  one  member 
each  from  barbarous  nations  entering  into  and  compris 
ing  the  universal  super-eminent  government  of  man 
kind.  What  constitutes  the  three  essential  degrees  of 
civilization  to  be  determined  by  international  law  as 
created  by  the  world  parliament  and  defined  by  the 
Universal  Supreme  Court. 

Second,  an  appointed  Senate  comprising  two  Senators 
from  each  sovereign  nation  represented  in  the  Universal 
Parliament.  The  Senators  to  be  appointed  by  the  re 
sponsible  governments  of  each  nation  having  plenary 
authority  in  manner  agreeable  to  its  constitution  and 
government. 

Third,  "An  Assemblage  of  Regents."  Notables, 
Elder  Statesmen,  selected,  elected  and  appointed  by  the 
Continental  Governments  in  manner  to  be  determined 
by  such  eminent  governments  when  created  and  duly 

[39] 


GEORGE  MASON 


empowered.  The  Regents  to  form  a  world  cabinet  or 
privy  council  to  the  President  of  the  Earth.  The  Re 
gents  to  be  selected  from  the  prominent  representatives 
of  the  various  races  of  mankind  and  embodying  the 
racial  characteristics  and  ethical  ideals.  The  World 
President  to  be  selected  from  the  body  of  the  Regents, 
elected  by  the  Congress,  approved  by  the  Senate,  and 
sanctioned  by  the  Regents  of  the  races  forming  the 
World  Parliament. 

Twenty  Regents  from  Europe,  fifteen  from  North 
America,  ten  from  South  America,  ten  from  Asia,  five 
from  Africa,  and  five  from  Oceanica. 

The  Regents  to  be  composed  of  men  of  eminent  inter 
national  standing  and  dignity,  of  ability  and  integrity 
unquestioned  and  unquestionable,  who  have  served 
their  nations  in  international  capacity  as  emperors, 
kings,  presidents,  governors  and  ambassadors,  whom 
the  whole  world  would  delight  to  honor  and  who  would 
resign  their  functions  in  any  one  or  more  nations  and 
become  Postulants  for  the  dignity  of  the  World  Regents. 

Super-eminent  men,  universally  trained,  interna 
tional  minds,  within  whose  intellectual  and  rational  pur 
view  the  various  races  of  mankind  and  the  nations  of  the 
earth  constitute  one  humanity  to  be  served,  protected 
and  equally  defended.  From  this  august  body  of  men 
the  President  of  the  world  and  his  cabinet  would  be 
chosen.  His  seat  would  be  the  "Seat  of  the  Mighty" 
indeed. 

Fourth,  a  Supreme  Court  consisting  of  one  man  each 
from  the  Supreme  Courts  of  each  and  every  sovereign 
nation  constituting  the  world  unity,  to  comprise  the 
Universal  Supreme  Court  of  Mankind.  The  most 
august  body  of  men  in  the  world  into  whose  hands  under 
the  auspices  of  Divine  Providence  shall  be  committed 
in  the  last  and  final  analysis  the  supreme  constituted 
power  and  authority  of  mankind,  from  whose  deliberate 
judgment  lawful  appeal  may  only  be  taken  to  Almighty 
God. 

Such  a  parliament  would  constitute  a  universal 
government,  command  the  confidence  and  have 

[40] 


The  Philosopher 


the  support  of  mankind.  A  Mandate  issued  by  this 
Government  would  constitute  an  Edict  which  the  good 
would  willingly  and  the  evil  must  perforce  obey.  It 
would  sanction  all  international  treaties  before  becom 
ing  effective.  It  would  set  legitimate  bounds  to  the 
political  aspirations  and  economic  ambitions  of  any  one 
or  more  nations  or  of  the  united  nations  of  any  one  con 
tinent.  It  would  command  and  be  obeyed  by  mankind. 
It  would  be  so  constituted,  authorized  and  empowered 
that  in  the  nature  of  human  events  its  verdict  on  any 
one  question  would  be  essential  "law  and  order,"  and, 
therefore,  constitute  the  security  and  peace  of  the  world. 

It  is  conceivable  that  questions  and  problems  may 
arise  in  various  nations  which  might  not  be  satisfied  by 
the  decisions  of  mankind  as  expressed  in  the  Universal 
Parliament,  but  it  is  inconceivable  that  any  appeal  to 
arms  from  the  final  decision  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 
the  World  could  ever  hope  to  meet  success,  and,  there 
fore,  we  might  rest  assured  that,  granted  such  a  govern 
ment,  mankind  could  reasonably  hope  for  universal 
permanent  peace. 

For  purposes  of  universal  protection  and  peace  the 
world  Government  should  own,  possess  and  control  the 
various  coigns  of  vantage  and  strategic  importance  com 
manding  the  approaches,  entrance  and  exits  of  the  Con 
tinents,  Harbors,  and  Bays  of  the  principal  Nations  as 
affording  means  of  defense,  and  by  implication,  offense, 
when  necessary,  to  the  united  protection  of  mankind. 

Where  all  would  benefit  none  could  reasonably  object, 
and  the  Nations  now  controlling  such  vantage  points 
should  willingly  yield  them  to  the  Universal  Govern 
ment  for  the  joint  and  mutual  protection  of  all  Nations 
what  heretofore  was  deemed  essential  to  the  personal 
safety,  defense  and  peace  of  individual  governments. 

Such  places  of  military  strength  and  International 
importance  as  Gibraltar,  Corsica,  Malta,  and  the  Suez 
Canal  in  the  Mediterranean,  the  Kiel  Canal  and  Heli 
goland  in  the  North  Sea  or  German  Ocean,  the  Dar 
danelles  and  entrance  and  exits  from  the  Mediterranean 
to  the  Black  Sea,  separating  and  uniting  Europe  and 

[41] 


GEORGE   MASON 


Asia,  and  the  Straits  of  Magellan,  Cape  Horn,  Cape  of 
Good  Hope,  the  Panama  Canal  and  certain  islands, 
headlands,  capes,  peninsulas  and  promontories  in  the 
Atlantic,  Pacific,  Indian,  Northern  and  Southern 
Oceans,  as  most  readily  lend  themselves  to  military 
strategy.  All  maritime  nations  in  a  state  of  peace 
would  be  entitled  to  their  use  and  service.  Only  in 
times  of  war  would  belligerents  be  denied  their  use  by 
the  universal  government. 

The  earth  belongs  by  right  of  eminent  domain  to  all 
the  people  who  live  on  it  and  not  merely  to  some  of  the 
people.  There  are  however  civilized,  semi-civilized, 
barbarous  and  savage  nations,  efficient,  inefficient  and 
worthless  peoples,  progressive,  backward,  retrogressive 
and  degenerate  peoples,  all  have  certain  rights  and 
privileges.  All  have  certain  duties,  and  all  should  be 
compelled  to  live  up  to  their  duties  and  responsibilities 
to  others,  and  on  this  condition  alone,  should  be  en 
titled  to  the  exercise  of  their  inalienable  prerogatives. 
Ceasing  to  give  they  should  cease  to  have.  This  is  the 
fundamental  law  of  creation. 

The  world  should  have  an  international  universal 
world  maritime  armament  to  police  the  seas,  and  pro 
tect  the  combined  interests  of  the  entire  world.  The 
Navy  of  the  earth  should  be  under  the  control  and  man 
agement  of  the  World  Parliament  and  its  efficient  heads 
should  be  selected  from  the  great  maritime  powers. 
The  world  navy  would  be  at  home  in  all  waters,  and  a 
visit  of  this  universal  power  on  the  sea  to  any  one  nation 
would  be  prima  faciae  evidence  that  the  particular  nation 
visited  was  persona  grata  to  the  universal  government. 

The  naval  power  captured  by  the  Allies  from  the 
Central  Powers  should  become  the  nucleus  of  this  inter 
national  navy.  Battleships,  Dreadnaughts,  Cruisers, 
Submarines,  Submarine  destroyers,  Gunboats,  Patrols, 
and  the  Air-craft,  now  in  Allied  hands  would  make  a 
fine  beginning  to  the  naval  strength  and  power  of  the 
world  and  it  could  be  wisely  increased  by  additions 
from  time  to  time  from  the  great  naval  powers  until  the 
world  itself  and  its  universal  government  possessed  a 

[42] 


The  Philosopher 


strength  of  defense  and  if  necessary  offense  capable  of 
resisting  any  possible  hostile  combination  against  the 
world,  its  peace  and  dignity. 

The  armies  of  the  world  should  be  under  one  supreme 
council  of  military  commanders,  assembled  from  all  the 
great  nations,  and  power,  dignity,  authority  and  re 
sponsibility  apportioned  pro  rata  to  the  ability  and  in 
tegrity  of  the  nations,  and  their  records  as  observers  of 
international  peace  and  their  national  treaties,  duties 
and  obligations  toward  others. 

The  armies  of  mankind  would  remain  in  their  own 
national  lands  but  their  officers  and  commanders  should 
be  internationally  trained  and  transferred  from  one  na 
tion  to  another,  thereby  becoming  international  officials 
able  to  command  any  one  or  more  of  the  armies  of  the 
nations  in  times  of  war.  During  peace  the  different 
armies  would  be  officered  and  commanded  by  their  own 
national  officials,  with  the  visiting  generals,  com 
manders  and  officers  as  honored  guests  and  cadets  in 
temporary  command  for  the  purpose  of  learning  the 
military  tactics  and  methods  of  training  and  efficiency 
in  the  different  nations. 

The  great  Cantonments,  Arsenals,  Fortifications, 
Citadels  and  Armories  of  the  world  under  international 
jurisdiction  with  the  local  nationals  in  charge,  but  in 
times  of  war  not  in  command.  The  resources  military 
of  the  whole  world  would  be  at  the  disposal  of  the  su 
preme  government  when  occasion  required  to  maintain 
peace  and  enforce  law  and  order  or  chasten  the  delin 
quent  and  bring  them  back  to  their  national  and 
international  obligations.  No  nation  so  small,  weak 
and  insignificant  but  shall  have  peace  with  protection 
and  none  so  great  and  powerful  but  shall  be  disciplined 
if  necessary.  On  these  terms  and  conditions  alone  we 
can  have  universal,  permanent  peace. 

For  purposes  of  general  utility,  service  and  usefulness 
the  world  should  make  use  of  one  selected  language  as 
the  international  speech  of  mankind.  There  need  be 
no  rivalry,  still  less  jealousy  and  least  of  all  fear.  Here 
again,  as  in  all  other  international  concerns,  efficiency 

[43] 


GEORGE   MASON 


should  govern  and  humanity  should  be  willing  to  elect 
one  of  the  great  languages  as  a  medium  of  universal 
communication  and  service.  Where  all  would  benefit 
none  would  or  need  be  in  doubt. 

The  English  language  should  be  that  tongue.  It  is 
well-nigh  universal.  It  is  the  speech  of  commerce, 
business,  finance  and  economics.  It  is  the  language  of 
the  travelled  world.  It  commands  a  large  portion  of 
the  human  race  as  their  mother  tongue.  It  is  spoken 
throughout  the  earth,  contains  all  the  elements  of  uni 
versal  application  to  the  needs  of  humanity  on  its 
material  plane,  and  is  not  difficult  to  learn.  Like  the 
people  of  this  world  it  is  progressive  and  aggressive,  and 
contains  the  elements  of  fundamental  world  unity. 

There  are  languages  more  expressive  of  interior  senti 
ments  and  desires,  more  musical,  literary,  artistic, 
temperamental,  idealistic,  romantic,  moralistic  and 
beautiful,  but  taking  into  consideration  all  the  facts  of 
material  civilization  and  the  physical  requirements  of 
humanity  on  the  external  side  of  life,  the  English  lan 
guage,  the  development  of  a  thousand  years,  contains 
the  all  in  all  of  human  requirements.  It  is  the  language 
par-excellent  of  material  intellectual  and  rational  truth, 
brief,  pithy,  succinct,  to  the  point,  and  even  in  its 
idioms  and  common  expressions  it  affords  ample  evi 
dence  of  its  superiority  over  other  tongues  in  direct 
application. 

We  confidently  predict  that  within  one  hundred 
years  the  English  language,  willy  nilly,  will  be  the  uni 
versal  tongue  of  the  world,  and  all  men  will  say  when 
demanding  action:  "Fish  or  cut  bait." 

Fundamentally  the  interests  of  mankind  are  identical 
and  it  is  possible  to  so  correlate  and  fraternize  the  hu 
man  race  materially,  economically  and  politically  that 
another  universal  war  will  be  a  physical  impossibility. 

Such  a  government  is  possible  if  the  principles  of 
"  Federal  Unity  "  now  existing  between  the  United  States 
of  America  could  be  put  into  universal  application  among 
the  nations  of  the  earth.  Questions  of  language,  habits, 
customs,  traditions,  methods  and  modes  of  govern- 

[441 


The  Philosopher 


ment;  environment  and  experience  would  all  give  way 
to  mutual  use  and  service  among  the  nations.  Not 
which  is  the  greatest  and  most  powerful,  but  which  is 
the  most  useful  would  have  preference  and  precedence 
among  the  nations. 

Such  a  government  must  have  a  source  from  whence 
it  can  radiate  and  to  which  all  nations  may  look  for 
redress  of  grievance.  Its  circumference  would  be  the 
world  as  the  sphere  of  its  mental  and  moral  activities 
would  be  universal. 

Its  center  should  be  that  spot  sacred  above  all  others 
on  earth  where  the  "Moral  Concept"  of  life  and  its 
duties  found  first  and  highest  expression  and  fruition. 
That  center  should  be  Palestine,  sacred  to  the  Chris 
tian,  the  Jewish  and  the  Mohammedan  world. 

Judea  possesses  no  material  resources  to  tempt 
cupidity,  excite  the  lust  of  dominion  or  induce  men  to 
slay  one  another  to  Possess.  It  does  own  the  riches  of 
the  mind  and  the  treasures  of  the  soul.  There  the 
Decalogue,  the  Sermon  on  the  Mount  and  the  Lord's 
Prayer  descended  out  of  heaven  from  God  to  bless 
mankind  or  else  civilization  is  an  idle  dream. 

Greece  created  Art;  Rome,  Law  and  Order;  Pales 
tine,  Religion  and  Morality. 

There  the  Prince  of  Peace  lived  and  there  He  died 
that  the  world  might  have  peace.  There  the  Jew  can 
look  with  reverence  as  to  the  homeland  of  his  race,  the 
glory  of  the  patriarchs  and  of  the  prophets.  There  the 
Mohammedan  world  may  gaze  with  reverence  second 
only  to  that  of  Mecca  and  there  the  moral  sentiments  of 
Christendom  gather  around  the  feet  of  Christ. 

It  is  the  land  of  the  "Moral  Concept,"  the  spiritual 
home  of  the  human  race.  Not  my  country,  nor  your 
country,  but  our  country;  not  your  government,  nor 
my  government,  but  our  government.  "Our  God,  our 
country,  and  our  home"  may  find  expression  there. 

Jerusalem  should  be  the  moral  peace  center  of  the 
earth  with  the  Decalogue  once  more  restored  to  Mount 
Zion  as  the  only  infallible  guide  in  international  as  in 
national  and  individual  affairs. 

[45] 


GEORGE   MASON 


If  from  this  maelstrom  of  death  and  destruction  there 
arise  the  governmental  unity  of  mankind,  the  glori 
ous  manhood  of  America  and  of  the  world  shall  not  have 
died  in  vain. 


46] 


JERUSALEM,  "THE  CITY" 

Forsaken,  fallen,  desolate,  abhorred, 

Remembered  only  in  religious  story; 
Disconsolate,  abased,  despised,  ignored, 

Thou  who  wert  once  the  Empress  Queen  of  Glory. 

Prophets  and  Kings,  Philosophers  and  Sages, 

Princes  inspired  with  sacred  allegory, 
Martyrs  and  Saints,  God's  witnesses  through  ages, 

Have  fled  to  Heaven  and  left  Thee  old  and  hoary. 

When  Solomon  reigned,  Wisdom  and  Wealth  abounded, 

Jehovah's  temple  stood  on  Zion's  sacred  hill. 
Incense  arose,  the  Harp  and  Timbrel  sounded, 

Warrior  and  Priest  adored  to  learn  God's  Holy  Will. 

Then  men  and  angels  from  Thy  holy  places 
Held  "High  Converse"  in  Love  and  Wisdom  grounded; 

Approved  of  God,  anointed  by  His  Graces, 
While  Heaven  and  Earth  with  hallelujahs  sounded. 

Then  Zion's  Maidens  coy,  with  tresses  braided, 
And  Judah's  youths,  of  noble,  manly  carriage, 

Thy  Walls,  O  Zion,  and  Thy  Courts  paraded, 
Whispering  of  Heaven,  and  Home,  and  Love,  and  Marriage. 

Gone  are  Thy  Priests,  Thy  Prophets  have  departed, 
Gone  are  Thy  Kings,  Thy  Walls  and  Gates  o'erthrown, 

Thy  people  wander,  faint  and  weary-hearted, 
Forsaken,  wretched,  desolate,  alone. 

Thy  tabernacles  have  been  desecrated. 

Mohammed  rules  where  stood  God's  Holy  Fane; 
Thy  homes  are  gone,  with  Love  once  animated, 

Calvary  alone  remains,  and  Gethsemane. 

Jerusalem,  Thy  glory  hath  departed, 
The  owls  and  bats  forsake  Thy  crumbling  walls 

Sackcloth  and  ashes  for  Thy  sons,  sore-hearted, 
Death  and  the  grave  brood  o'er  Thy  vanished  halls. 

Jerusalem,  awake  from  slumber  hoary, 
The  Master  calls  His  servants,  bids  them  rise; 

Put  on  Thy  garments,  deck  Thyself  in  glory; 
And  bring  to  Earth  a  message  from  the  skies. 


47 


CORRESPONDENCE 


49 


Correspondence 


RICHMOND,  VA.,  June  1,  1918. 
His  EXCELLENCY, 

HONORABLE  WOODROW  WILSON, 
President  of  the  United  States, 
Executive  Mansion, 
Washington,  D.  C. 

MY  DEAR  MR.  PRESIDENT: 

On  behalf  of  the  descendants  of  George  Mason  of  Virginia,  I 
desire  to  express  our  united  appreciation  of  the  honor  you  have 
conferred  upon  his  old  homestead  and  thereby  his  memory,  by 
naming  the  first  ship  to  be  built  at  Alexandria,  the  "Gunston 
Hall." 

Very  dear  to  his  descendants  is  the  memory  of  this  distinguished 
ancestor.  Morally  beyond  reproach;  of  unquestionable  ability 
and  unimpeachable  integrity;  free  himself  and  wishing  others  the 
same  moral  blessing;  seeking  neither  place  nor  applause  and  meet 
ing  all  men  on  the  basis  of  their  mental  and  moral  worth  without 
regard  to  their  political  power,  financial  influence  or  social 
standing. 

The  bosom  friend,  companion  and  lifelong  confident  of  Wash 
ington,  he  was  worthy  of  that  distinction.  An  obedient  son,  kind 
brother,  affectionate  father,  loving  and  faithful  husband,  honored 
citizen,  staunch  patriot  and  able  statesman,  he  was  essential  to 
his  age  and  generation  in  the  founding  of  a  new  nation. 

Mason  created,  Jefferson  proclaimed,  Marshall  interpreted  and 
Washington  administered  the  principles  established  by  the 
Declaration  of  Independence  and  the  Constitution  of  the  United 
States.  This  entitles  his  name  to  immortality. 

His  political  sagacity  discerned  the  future  and  predicted  the 
Civil  War.  Had  his  judgment  been  acted  upon  how  much  wrath 
and  violence  would  have  been  avoided.  The  honor  you  now 
confer  upon  his  memory  serves  to  renew  the  recollection  of  a 
worthy  citizen,  eminent  patriot  and  profound  statesman. 

Mr.  President,  I  have  the  honor  to  remain, 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

[Signed]        ROBERT  C.  MASON. 


[50 


Correspondence 


THE   WHITE   HOUSE 

WASH  INCTON 


3  June,  1918 


2fy  dear  Mr.  Mason: 

It  was  Mrs.  ',711  son  and  not  I  who 
cnose  the  name  GUNSIMT  HAIL  for  the  ship  about 
to  be  built  at  Alexandria,  and  I  know  that  1 
can  speak  for  her  and  say  that  she  did  it  with 
a  great  deal  of  pleasure,  being  just  as  glad 
as  I  would  have  been  to  honor  indirectly  the 
distinguished  name  of  George  Mason. 

May  1  not  express  my  warm  apprecia 
tion  of  your  kind  letter  of  the  first  of  June? 
Sincerely  yours, 


Mr.  Robert  C.  Mason, 
Richmond,  Virginia. 

[51 


Correspondence 


RICHMOND,  VA.,  June  7,  1918. 
His  EXCELLENCY, 

HONORABLE  WOODROW  WILSON, 
President  of  the  United  States, 
Executive  Mansion, 

Washington,  D.  C. 
MY  DEAR  MR.  PRESIDENT: 

Permit  me  to  thank  you  for  your  very  gracious  answer  to  my 
recent  letter  in  reference  to  naming  the  ship  about  to  be  built  at 
Alexandria,  the  "Gunston  Hall." 

Kindly  express  to  Mrs.  Wilson  our  appreciation  of  the  honor  she 
has  accorded  the  memory  of  George  Mason. 

Mr.  President,  I  have  the  honor  to  remain, 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

[Signed]      ROBERT  C.  MASON. 


52 


HONORABLE  COLIN  H.  LIVINGSTONE. 

President,  Virginia  Shipbuilding  Corporation;  Vice-President  of  The 

American   National    Bank,  Washington,  D.   C.;  President  of  the 

National  Council  and  Chairman  of   the  Executive  Board  of  the 

Boy  Scouts  of  America. 


Correspondence 


HONORABLE  COLIN  LIVINGSTONE,  President: 
Virginia  Shipbuilding  Corporation, 
Alexandria,  Va., 

June  9,  1918. 

MY  DEAR  SIR: 

Herewith  I  have  the  honor  to  present  for  the  consideration  and, 
I  trust,  approval  of  yourself  and  associates  this  Memorial  upon 
the  life  and  principles,  moral  and  political,  of  George  Mason, 
whose  memcry  your  Corporation  has  been  pleased  to  revive  by 
naming  the  first  ship  constructed  in  your  yard  at  Alexandria,  the 
"Gunston  Hall"  in  honor  of  his  old  homestead  on  the  Potomac, 
in  Fairfax  County,  Virginia. 

Mount  Vernon,  the  abode  of  Washington,  Monticello,  the  resi 
dence  of  Jefferson  and  Gunston  Hall  the  home  of  Mason  consti 
tute  the  patriotic  shrines  of  Virginia  whereunto  every  lover  of 
freedom  when  visiting  the  Old  Dominion  makes  a  pilgrimage  to 
pay  his  debt  of  gratitude  and  offer  his  devotion  upon  those  altars 
of  liberty.  In  point  of  historic  interest  in  the  annals  of  our  coun 
try,  those  three  homes  take  precedence  over  all  others  in  America. 

Animated  by  the  generous  example  of  our  President  who  drove 
the  first  rivet,  encouraged  by  yourself  and  associates,  the  Theme 
approved  by  Statesmen  and  literary  men  and  my  effort  sanctioned 
by  the  good-will  and  pleasure  of  the  various  branches  of  our 
family,  I  have  ventured  upon  this  tribute  to  the  name  and  memory 
of  an  illustrious  American  moralist,  statesman  and  political 
philosopher  to  whom  this  country  owes  a  boundless  debt  of 
gratitude. 

The  privilege  I  have  assumed  is  an  honor  and  a  responsibility. 
I  am  as  sensible  of  the  one  as  conscious  of  the  other  and  trust  to 
discharge  this  duty  with  such  fidelity  to  truthfulness  that  your 
leniency  and  the  public  grace  will  forget  the  faults  and  remember 
only  the  virtues  of  this  Eulogy. 

There  are  many  subjects  of  supreme  interest  in  connection  with 
the  life  and  times  of  George  Mason  which  cannot  be  commented 
upon  in  a  work  of  this  brevity.  However,  if  within  the  limits  as 
signed  I  succeed  in  bringing  before  the  public  some  few  of  the 
principles  which  inspired  the  life  and  ennobled  the  actions  of  this 
pre-eminent  citizen  of  our  revolutionary  Epoch  I  shall  deem 
myself  amply  rewarded. 

Wishing  long  life  and  prosperity  to  this  noble  ship,  I  have  the 
honor  to  remain, 

Very  respectfully  yours, 

[Signed]        ROBERT  C.  MASON. 


[53 


Correspondence 


VIRGINIA    SHIPBUILDING 
CORPORATION 

ALEXANDRIA,  VIRGINIA 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C.,  June  12,  1918. 
HON.  R.  G.  MASON, 
Richmond,  Va. 

DEAR  MR.  MASON: 

I  am  in  receipt  of  your  letter  addressed  to  the  President  of  the 
United  States,  requesting  invitations  be  sent  to  yourself  and  other 
descendants  of  the  Honorable  George  Mason,  founder  of  Gunston 
Hall,  Virginia,  in  whose  honor  the  first  steel  freight  steamship 
constructed  at  the  Virginia  Shipbuilding  Corporation's  shipyard 
at  Alexandria,  Va.,  has  been  named  by  the  wife  of  the  President 
of  the  United  States,  Mrs.  Woodrow  Wilson. 

It  is  with  great  pleasure  that  we  shall  extend  to  yourself  and 
other  members  of  the  Mason  family  most  cordial  invitations  to  be 
present  at  the  launching  of  this  ship,  which  we  expect  will  take 
place  sometime  during  the  month  of  September  of  this  year. 

It  may  interest  you  to  know  that  the  Hon.  C.  C.  Carlin,  Repre 
sentative  in  Congress  from  the  Alexandria  District  of  Virginia, 
suggested  that  the  first  ship  to  be  launched  from  our  yard  should 
be  called  either  "George  Mason"  or  "Gunston  Hall,"  leaving  the 
selection  of  the  name  to  Mrs.  Wilson.  Mrs.  Wilson  chose  "  Guns- 
ton  Hall,"  and  so  christened  the  keel,  at  the  same  time  at  which 
the  President  of  the  United  States  drove  the  first  rivet.  Mr. 
Carlin  urged  that  no  proper  recognition  had  ever  been  made  of 
Mr.  Mason,  who  in  our  history  should  occupy  a  most  distinguished 
place  in  consideration  of  his  splendid  qualities  as  a  statesman  and 
his  connection  with  the  Declaration  of  Independence,  and  other 
vitally  important  episodes  in  the  early  history  of  our  country. 
Let  me  suggest  that  I  believe  that  Mr.  Carlin  would  quite  nat 
urally  appreciate  a  letter  from  you  in  this  connection. 

Yours  very  truly, 
[Signed]         COLIN  H.  LIVINGSTONE. 


54 


BENJAMIN  W.     MORSE. 

Vice-President  and  General  Manager  of  the  Virginia  Shipbuilding 
Corporation,  Alexandria,  Va.,  to  whose  ability  and  integrity  is 
largely  due  the  success  attained  by  this  financially  powerful  concern. 

Clinedinst  Studio,  Washington. 


Correspondence 


RICHMOND,  VA.,  June  26,  1918. 

HONORABLE  C.  C.  CARLIN, 

Representative  in  Congress, 

Alexandria  District  of  Virginia, 
House  of  Representatives, 
Washington,  D.  C. 

MY  DEAR  MR.  CARLIN: 

The  honorable  Colin  H.  Livingstone,  President  of  the  Virginia 
Shipbuilding  Corporation,  Alexandria,  Virginia,  has  advised  me 
that  we  are  indebted  to  you  for  the  suggestion  of  naming  the  first 
ship  to  be  built  in  their  yards,  in  memory  of  the  old  homestead  of 
George  Mason  "Gunston  Hall,"  and  that  it  was  at  your  request 
the  wife  of  the  President,  Mrs.  Woodrow  Wilson,  named  the  ship 
and  the  President  himself  drove  the  first  rivet. 

Permit  me  to  thank  you  for  this  timely  remembrance  of  one  of 
the  most  notable  sons  of  Virginia,  one  to  whom,  under  the  aus 
pices  of  Divine  Providence  we  are  indebted  for  much  of  the  free 
dom,  under  law  and  order,  which  our  country  enjoys  today. 

It  is  a  privilege  as  well  as  a  duty  to  write  and  sincerely  thank 
you  for  the  honor  you  have  been  instrumental  in  conferring  upon 
the  old  homestead  and  thereby  the  memory  of  George  Mason. 

I  am  sure  I  will  be  expressing  the  sentiments  of  all  the  descend 
ants  of  George  Mason  when  I  say  that  the  honor  now  conferred 
upon  his  memory  is  most  pleasing  and  grateful  to  us  all. 

I  have  the  honor  to  remain, 
Very  respectfully  yours, 

[Signed]        ROBERT  C.  MASON. 


[55 


C  o  r  r  tspondence 


COMMITTEE  ON  THE  JUDICIARY. 

HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES  U.  S., 

WASHINGTON,  D.  C. 

July  9,  1918. 
ROBERT  C.  MASON,  ESQ., 

Richmond,  Va. 
MY  DEAR  MR.  MASON: 

This  is  the  first  opportunity  I  have  had  to  reply  to  your  letter. 
I  approve  heartily  of  the  idea  of  having  the  Mason  family  attend 
the  launching  of  the  ship  "  Gunston  Hall"  at  Alexandria.  I  look 
upon  George  Mason  as  the  greatest  of  all  Virginians  and  the 
naming  of  the  ship  by  Mrs.  Wilson  was  not  only  a  compliment  to 
your  illustrious  ancestor,  but  brought  to  the  minds  of  the  Ameri 
can  people  the  many  splendid  things  for  which  he  stood. 

With  best  wishes,  I  am, 

Very  truly  yours, 

[Signed]        C.  C.  CARLIN. 


OnfteD  State*  Dipping  T5oarD 
dftag&ington 

June  10, 1918. 
MR.  R.  C.  MASON, 

Richmond,  Va. 
DEAR  MR.  MASON: 

Your  letter  of  June  7  to  President  Wilson  has  been  referred  to 
me.  I  shall  take  pleasure  in  asking  the  Virginia  Shipbuilding, 
Company,  of  Alexandria,  to  issue  invitations  to  representatives 
of  your  family  upon  the  occasion  of  the  launching  of  the  ship 
"  Gunston  Hall."  I  am  sure  they  will  be  very  glad  to  do  this. 

Very  truly  yours, 

[Signed]        EDWARD  N.  HURLEY, 

Chairman. 

[56] 


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